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It was a final that will sting the Indian cricket team and its fans for a long time—not because they were thoroughly outplayed, but because they lost a T20 World Cup that was firmly within their grasp. In the end, a series of self-inflicted wounds and "unforced errors" allowed a composed Sri Lankan side to seize the coveted trophy.
For a large part of the match, India was in complete control. After posting a competitive total thanks to another brilliant half-century from Virat Kohli, the bowlers had Sri Lanka reeling at 51 for 4. The required run rate was climbing, the pressure was mounting, and an Indian victory felt almost inevitable.
But then, the match turned on its head. The entire momentum shifted during one chaotic and game-changing over. With Sri Lanka needing 61 from the last six overs, the game was India's to lose. But a disastrous 26-run over from Axar Patel, filled with wides and poor deliveries, gifted Sri Lanka an easy path back into the contest. It was an over that let all the pressure off and deflated the Indian side.
However, the blame can't rest on a single over. The seeds of this defeat were sown earlier. During India's own innings, after a solid start, the batting lost crucial momentum. Hardik Pandya, usually an explosive finisher, struggled to get going, which prevented India from adding another 15-20 runs that could have made all the difference.
Compounding these issues was a sloppy performance in the field. While Sri Lanka held their nerve, executing their plans perfectly under pressure with veterans like Angelo Mathews and bowlers like Wanindu Hasaranga shining, India fumbled. The fielding lapses and tactical blunders were uncharacteristic of a team playing in a world final.
Ultimately, while Sri Lanka deserves immense credit for their victory, India will look back at this match as a massive missed opportunity. They had the upper hand, but at the most critical moments, they faltered, tripping over their own mistakes to hand the championship away.
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