Lankan Lions Roar at Last A Retrospective of the 2014 T20 World Cup
After years of heartbreak in major finals, Sri Lanka's golden generation finally claimed the ultimate prize, overcoming a dominant Indian side in a tournament defined by upsets, individual brilliance, and unforgettable drama.
Tournament at a Glance
The key facts and figures from the fifth edition of the ICC World Twenty20, hosted in Bangladesh.
Champions
Sri Lanka
First T20 World Cup Title
Runner-up
India
Undefeated until the final
Host Nation
Bangladesh
16 Teams Participated
Player of the Tournament
Virat Kohli
319 Runs @ 106.33 Average
Defining Moments
Beyond the final, the tournament was filled with moments that shifted momentum and rewrote history.
The Miraculous Dutch Chase
This section highlights the most astonishing match of the preliminary round, where the Netherlands achieved the seemingly impossible. This performance was not just a victory; it was a tactical masterclass that sent shockwaves through the cricketing world and announced the arrival of associate nations on the biggest stage.
Facing a monumental task, the Netherlands needed to chase Ireland's 189 in just 14.2 overs to qualify for the Super 10s on Net Run Rate. What followed was one of the most audacious displays of power-hitting in T20 history. Stephan Myburgh's 63 off 23 balls and Tom Cooper's 45 off 15 balls propelled them to their target in an unbelievable 13.5 overs, sealing a historic victory and a place among the elite.
Herath's Magical Spell
In a high-stakes, virtual quarter-final, Sri Lanka's title hopes were on the line. This moment showcases how a single, brilliant bowling performance can completely dismantle a world-class batting lineup and turn a match on its head, underscoring the battle-hardened resilience Sri Lanka developed on their path to the final.
Defending a paltry total of 119 against New Zealand, Sri Lanka needed a miracle. Rangana Herath delivered one of the greatest spells in T20 history, claiming an incredible 5 wickets for just 3 runs. His mesmerising left-arm spin skittled the Kiwis for just 60, snatching victory from the jaws of defeat and propelling Sri Lanka into the semi-finals.
A Tale of Two Paths: The Journey to the Final
The two finalists reached the knockout stage in starkly different fashion. India cruised with flawless dominance, while Sri Lanka was forged in the fire of chaotic, down-to-the-wire encounters.
Group 1: The Crucible of Chaos
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka: Battle-Hardened Survivors
Survived a must-win vs NZ thanks to Herath's magic (5/3) after being bowled out for 119. Suffered a batting onslaught from England's Alex Hales (116*).
🇿🇦 South Africa: Nerves of Steel
Won all their close games, including a 2-run thriller against NZ where Dale Steyn delivered a final-over masterclass.
🇳🇱 Netherlands: Giant Killers
After being bowled out for a record-low 39 by Sri Lanka, they bounced back to clinically defeat England by 45 runs.
Group 2: The Indian Juggernaut
🇮🇳 India: Flawless Dominance
Won all four group matches with ease, dispatching Pakistan, West Indies, Australia, and Bangladesh. Their "spin-to-win" strategy choked opponents.
👑 Virat Kohli: The Chase Master
In sublime form, Kohli made chasing any target look easy. His consistency was the bedrock of India's seemingly unstoppable march.
🌪️ Spin Twins: Ashwin & Mishra
On slow Bangladeshi pitches, Ravichandran Ashwin and Amit Mishra were unplayable, suffocating batting lineups and dictating the terms of every game.
The Final Showdown: A Tale of Two Innings
The final was a tense, low-scoring affair decided by the contrast between individual brilliance, a critical momentum stall, and a masterful farewell innings.
India's Innings: The Great Stagnation
Despite another masterclass from Virat Kohli (77 off 58), India's momentum hit a wall. Yuvraj Singh's painful 11 off 21 balls completely stalled the innings at a crucial time. Sri Lanka's bowlers capitalized, executing a death-bowling masterclass. Malinga and Kulasekara conceded just 19 runs in the final 4 overs, restricting India to a modest 130/4.
Sri Lanka's Chase: A Fitting Farewell
In his final T20 International, Kumar Sangakkara anchored the chase with a calm, flawless 52* off 35 balls. He absorbed the pressure from India's spinners and guided his team home with 13 balls to spare. It was a moment of profound redemption, breaking Sri Lanka's curse in finals and providing a fairytale ending for legends Sangakkara and Jayawardene.
Sri Lanka won by 6 wickets
Player of the Match: Kumar Sangakkara
Star Performers
Explore the top individual performers who lit up the tournament. Use the buttons to switch between the leading batsmen and bowlers.
Tournament Legacy
The 2014 World Cup left an indelible mark on T20 cricket, remembered for these key impacts.
End of a Golden Era
The victory was the crowning achievement for Sri Lankan legends Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara, who bowed out as world champions in their final T20I, ending years of heartbreak in finals.
The Associates' Statement
The Netherlands' miracle chase and spirited displays from Nepal and Hong Kong were a powerful argument for greater inclusion, acting as a catalyst for future tournament expansions and a more globalized T20 landscape.
The Kohli Phenomenon
The tournament cemented Virat Kohli's status as the pre-eminent white-ball batsman of his generation. His mastery of chasing targets under pressure set a new benchmark for batting excellence in the T20 World Cup.