2016 T20 WC was Hosted by India. From the beginning, India was the tournament’s favorite team to win the second WC title after the 2007 World Cup. But unfortunately, West Indies showed no mercy as they chased down the 192 total on March 31, 2016, T20 WC.
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India’s Journey on 2016 T20 WC
India lost the first match against NZ, but still, there was hope for the second World T20 title. Just keep in that mind India determined three wins in a row against Australia, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.
Virat has consistently scored runs in the whole tournament. He was the rescuer for team India, against Pakistan, against West Indies, & also against Australia. He was phenomenally played like a champion batsman.
Though Indian Virat’s performance molded all the faults into a win, India’s openness failed to give a good start on the group stage. Rohit was being fixed as the main opener, but Shikhar Dhawan failed to impress with his bat.
Shikhar Dhawan’s Performance in 2016 T20 WC-
1(3) IND VS NZ, 6(15) IND VS PAK, 23(22) IND VS BAN, 13(12) IND VS AUS. Not even score a thirty-plus score in three innings.
India failed with their plan to continue the Left-Right combination, finally after group-stage matches India replaced Shikhar with Right-hander Ajinkya Rahane against West Indies.
It was a bold decision because it was difficult for any batter without playing any match you have been promoted for opening in a high-pressure knock-out game against West Indies. But Ajinkya Kept that promise he scored 40(35) in the 2nd semi-final against West Indies.
Not only India’s batting but with the ball, India was struggling too much except for Jasprit Bumrah, no one took wickets in the early overs.
Though Spin duo, Ashwin & Jadeja took regular wickets but was not enough as India’s standard.
West Indies Journey on 2016 T20 WC
On the 2016 T20 WC, West Indies’ performance made them a strong contender for the final. The WI team was loaded with power hitters, and most of them were all-rounders. So, this combination gave them an extra benefit in not only batting but also in the bowling department.
It was the last World Cup where we saw T20 legends like Chris Gayle, DJ Bravo, Andre Russell, and Darren Sammy. Most of them took retirement after the 2016 T20 WC.
West Indies were in Group 1, they beat England, South Africa, and Sri Lanka in three consecutive wins. Lost just one match against Afghanistan.
So, India and West Indies both lost one match in the group league.
Was India Depend on Virat’s Batting through the 2016 T20 WC?
Indian batters struggle to middle the ball with bat, though they were playing on those same ground in IPL also. It looked like Indian batters playing out of India, how they struggle.
Openers are not able to give a good start even after three matches. The middle order was not solitude, and All-rounders were not performing well. So, it was a mix of all the faults that India needed to work on.
What went wrong in the 2016 T20 WC semi-final match between India vs West Indies?
The 2016 T20 WC semi-final was played at Wankhade Stadium, most of the time Wankhade’s pitch helps batters rather than bowlers.
So, after 20 over 192 was just a decent score, on that pitch, where there was no help for bowlers. Being a good surface for batting, it’s made difficult for bowlers, and as a bowler, you have very limited errors.
In a match against WI, a team that likes to play aggressive cricket, so India could have an extra bowling option. Because Virat had to bowl the last over for India.
India should improve on their mistakes, fielding was not good enough. India dropped a catch like Lendle Simmons on no balls. He was given life when Jadeja and Virat made excellent field work, for one catch, but unfortunately, Jadeja touched his feet with the boundary rope.
India looked nervous as they bowled two no-balls off-course it will be unforgettable & unforgivable. Simmons got a new life twice and rest is the history no need to say anything about that.
How a spinner like Ashwin can bowled a no-ball?
India dropped two catches of Lendl Simmons already, then how can a spinner bowl a no-ball what else remains left in it? One of the commentators was right when he trolled India by saying “He’s probably tired of walking and coming back.” he meant here for Lendl Simmons.
Harsha Bhogle’s tweeted .” Where has Simmons been shopping for luck!!” His luck became bad luck for Team India.”
The one man who broke the hearts of 1.2 billion people, Simmons single-handily carried West Indies to the Final beating team India.
Did India’s openers play a very slow innings?
Rohit and Rahne played with a very cheap strike rate of 120. In a flat pitch like Wankhede only running singles couldn’t save you, you have to play strokes for boundaries.
After Rohit’s Dismissal Ranhe could accelerate his innings as India still had nine wickets in hand. Though it was a good start first time by team India in the 2016 T20 WC.
[Also Read:: Virat Kohli’s Dominant 183 Leads India to Victory Over Pakistan in Asia Cup 2012 India vs Pakistan Showdown]
India’s weak bowling and lack of intent to take wickets
India’s pacers gave a good start as Bumrah bowled out Chris Gyale with his brilliant yorker. After India might lose their focus, they were not in control even for one ball.
WI batsman took Hardik on remand as he bowled cluelessly, no line length, no discipline, low standard bowling by Hardik.
India should played an extra bowler because Virat had to bowl on the last over, there was no one to stop this Caribbean batsman.
Conclusion
It was not India’s day. Dhoni said it well ” It was not our day .” It was not that India played like noobs but WI played really good cricket, their hunger for their second T20 title carried them. They are driven by their burning desire and will power.
Virat Kohli 89* vs West Indies
2016 T20 wc Semifinal
End of one of the greatest solo carries pic.twitter.com/xYHpoO258E
— David Singh Kohli (@DSK247g) May 15, 2024