Form, history give India slight edge against SL in WT20 final

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Press Trust of India Mirpur
Last Updated : Apr 05 2014 | 1:40 PM IST
In sublime form through the tournament, India would be aiming to become the first team to win the World Twenty20 title for a second time but a gutsy Sri Lanka stands in the way in what promises to an exciting summit clash between the subcontinental rivals here tomorrow.
While Team India will be seeking to become the first country to win two World T20 titles, the team's skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni himself has a chance of walking into the pages of the record books by becoming the first captain to win three World titles.
Australia's Ricky Ponting and West Indies' Clive Lloyd were the other two captains who have led the team to two world titles.
Life will certainly come full circle for Dhoni if he lifts the coveted trophy at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium here tomorrow. In 2007, he had led a young team whom nobody gave a chance, to a brilliant triumph.
Since then, India became the No 1 ranked Test nation, won the 2011 World Cup and now they are back in World T20 finals.
It started with the shortest format and it will certainly be an enriching experience being in that zone again for MSD and his boys.
While current form and history of winning big finals certainly make the 'Men In Blue' favourites, one can't simply rule out the prophetic statement made by West Indies skipper Darren Sammy.
"Almighty wants Mahela and Sanga to win a World Cup and leave on a high," he had said after the semi-final loss against Sri Lanka. Will there be a divine intervention? It is difficult to say.
Can overriding emotions overpower a form team which in all practical terms has been cut above the others in this competition? Only time will tell.
The Indian team has had a dream run in this tournament so far, winning five straight matches including the semi-final with an authoritative display.
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First Published: Apr 05 2014 | 1:40 PM IST

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