The Sri Lanka team lifts the cup and the party begins....Well, that is all from the commentary team. There is a lot more of analysis to follow, so stay tuned.. The tournament was a treat and congratulations to Bangladesh on the successful organisation. Thanks for your comments and feedback. Until next time, it's ciao ciao.
Lasith Malinga gets a huge roar as he comes in to collect his medal. He says, "I was really lucky to captain in the last three games. Today, we thought it was Sanga and Mahela's farewell match.. the boys thought we needed to do it for them. Last few overs we bowled really well. Me, Kula and Sachithra. Mahela and Sanga are world-class batsmen and it was a good opportunity for us to be able to play with them. They are still playing Tests and ODIs and the younger players need to pick all that they can from the two."
"In the middle overs, our batsmen tried our best to get going, but we couldn't convert the good start," says MS Dhoni. "We could have always got those 10-15 runs, but cricket is about those runs. The last four overs they executed their plans very well and for our side that doesn't play scoops well, that worked for them. Malinga with that slingy action kept bowling it wide. It was a perfect game for them. Virat has been brilliant in the last few years. He is someone who makes most of the opportunity. The good thing is that he plays authentic shots and still scores runs. He is got a bright future ahead of them."
Kumar Sangakkara is the Man of the Match... What a way to finish his T20 career. He says, "it's been a long time coming.. Waited five finals. Pretty happy I was able to do something for our team. It means a lot to all of us. We are very humbled by this. The way Kohli was batting, he was about to take the game away from us, but the way we bowled was brilliant. It was an all-round performance, led by Lasith, Angelo had an amazing tournament. india are a tough side, but we are happy to be in the winning side. My family and playing for Sri Lanka are the two most important things that happened to me in my life. Everyone's got to go and my time is now."
Player of the tournament goes to Virat Kohli. "Congratulations to the SL team, especially Mahela and Sanga," he says. "Darren was right, the god was really smiling on them. But they deserved this, they played really well. Last T20 WC, i tried to do my bit, but this time around i tried to make the most of the good form. The most pleasing thing was that we made it to the finals. Some people talk about that i can't score in the first innings.. (smiles) but Malinga bowled very well in the last few overs. It was one of the off days. SL bowled in brilliant areas. Our boys can be proud of the way we played this tournament."
Wonderful win for Sri Lanka. Yesterday Malinga said they had the winning feeling in the camp and they have gone out to convert it into a title. How important a role did he play himself - those last few overs in the first innings were as good a death bowling you would ever see in a T20. Unheard of accuracy. That's where the match was won. Sanga then made it doubly sweet by scoring an unbeaten 52..
Dilshan says, "Last five world cups we lost them, but today is a great feeling to come back and win it. Today one of the three guys put their head up to do something for the team. Fantastic win for Sri Lanka. Good farewell for two happy guys."
Marvan Atapattu says, "What a way to finish the game! Sanga saved his best of the last innings. I think the first session is where we won the game."
It's now Sanath Jayasuriya's turn. He says, "The bowling was superb and then both Mahela and Sanga batted very well. Restricting them to 130 was the key. Even though we lost a few wickets early on, Mahela and Sanga are big game players"
Mahela says, "We finally managed to break the jinx. Thanks so much to family and friends but this one is for SL fans who have been waiting since 1996. It wasn't a normal match. Lot of emotions as this was the last T20. It hasn't sunk in yet and it will take a couple of days to get the feeling."
Angelo Mathews says, "Sri Lanka this is for you. I am glad the whole team did it for Sanga and Mahela."
Rangana Herath says, "This is the best send off for Sanga and Mahela. After 18 years, this is a different high."
Thisara roars! The Sri Lankans charge down the pitch and grab Sanga.. This is as comprehensive a win as you get.. Malinga comes in and jumps over the lot.. Mahela hugs Dilshan, Dilshan hugs Sanga.. Kohli hugs Sanga.. Sri Lanka have broken the jinx in style and what a time to do it! The last game for both Sanga and Mahela and they will go back champions. India didn't have the total to challenge Sri Lanka, who just strolled to the target despite the loss of four wickets..Malinga keeps his 100% record as a captain intact.
Sanga gets carried around the ground on the shoulders of his team-mates. Now Mahela also gets a ride on the shoulders..The celebration keeps going on..
Jai: "Mahela hugs Dilshan, Dilshan hugs Sanga.. Kohli hugs Sanga.....Wow...How often do you see that? If you ask any Indian fan, the team you would have backed after India in this tournament, it would have been SL...Clearly lots of respect for Sanga and Mahela among Indian fans....We will miss you in T20 ...Congrats SL..."
Garvin: "All the apparent "confusion" with the Sri Lankan captaincy had no visible impact on the final results. Shows the stuff the team is made of! Congrats to SL on a superb victory!!! (from a WI fan)"
Uwaisul Karnain: "Sanga's eyes today represent the whole Sri Lankan Nation. Never seen him being so emotional and expressive, it shows what it means to the legend! "
Rajive Silva: "This is just to break the jinx! The actual world cup is next year Sri Lanka! "
alex: "Funny to think that the only team England beat were the champions - Sri Lanka"
Ashwin to bowl his last
END OF OVER:17 | 15 Runs | SL: 119/4 (12 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 7.00, RRR: 4.00)
- Kumar Sangakkara43 (31b)
- Thisara Perera17 (13b)
- Amit Mishra4-0-32-1
- Ravichandran Ashwin3-0-14-1