Cricket's colassal carnage curriculum also known as the "WORLD T20 thingy" just came to an end of epic proportions. Following the previous editions' trend, the team that didn't win a single game in the dead-rubber section of the tournament went on to clinch the title. Sri Lanka who played the perfect hosts graced the finals and did their thang!
Which brings us to select the best XI from the tournament. It was cut-throat competition but, fair to say we did better than the ICC best XI.
Kohli - India's new Mr.dependable. When he clicks the team seldom loses and they did and so, they failed to make the cut for the semis, again!
Samuels - delivered when the team needed most be it in the finals with bat or the super 8s bowling the final over or the "super over".
McCullum† - no competition behind the wickets this time. Baz was clean and his bat did most of the talking. His 123 vs Bangladesh will give bowlers few uneasy nights.
Morgan - picked mainly for his position in the batting order. It was tough to choose between Wright, Raina and Morgan. But, we'll stick with Morgan. Almost took the defending champions through to the semis. Almost!
Ajmal - not his threatening best but, delivered for the team in crunch situations. 3/17 vs Aus & 4/30 vs Nzl were close to his best performances. Perhaps, under utilized by Hafeez.
Narine - was very tough to choose between Mendis and Narine. But, Mendis took 6 wickets against Zimbabwe and 4 in the finals of which 2 were not out. Narine was economical and most batsmen were clueless to read him from the hand or off the pitch.
Starc - bowled better for anybody that is named Mitchell.
Rampaul - was tough pick again. Rampaul's figures might show him on the expensive side. But, he picked wickets at the start and was crucial in the way Windies went about their game plan. And also Malinga had a horror final was taken apart single handedly by Samuels.
Some who must be mentioned for their near miss in the team. Badree for his exceptional bowling in the powerplays had a lot control and knew his limits. Wright, Raina, Malinga, Mendis as mentioned earlier Raza Hasan was very good, not to leave Ashwin, Hales showed some intent to play and err.. Balaji.
Well, almost done since we have named the best should only be fair to name the Santa's naughty list as well.
Gambhir
Levi
Kieswetter†
Kallis
Taylor*
Thirimanne
Malik
Gul
Swann
Vettori
Dernbach
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| © Getty Images |
Which brings us to select the best XI from the tournament. It was cut-throat competition but, fair to say we did better than the ICC best XI.
Gayle - picked purely for his Gangnam skills. Just kidding! 222 runs @ S.R. of 150 the calypso king didn't only rely on bludgeoning the ball right from the start and had a systematic approach which was nice to see.
Watson - was Australia's goto man be it with the bat or ball. Nothing new to be said. Most runs with the bat, most wickets for a seamer, most man of the match awards.
Jayawardene* - Missed out in the opener's slot. Didn't matter much, was disciplined with the bat as well as leading his team to yet another finals.Kohli - India's new Mr.dependable. When he clicks the team seldom loses and they did and so, they failed to make the cut for the semis, again!
Samuels - delivered when the team needed most be it in the finals with bat or the super 8s bowling the final over or the "super over".
McCullum† - no competition behind the wickets this time. Baz was clean and his bat did most of the talking. His 123 vs Bangladesh will give bowlers few uneasy nights.
Morgan - picked mainly for his position in the batting order. It was tough to choose between Wright, Raina and Morgan. But, we'll stick with Morgan. Almost took the defending champions through to the semis. Almost!
Ajmal - not his threatening best but, delivered for the team in crunch situations. 3/17 vs Aus & 4/30 vs Nzl were close to his best performances. Perhaps, under utilized by Hafeez.
Narine - was very tough to choose between Mendis and Narine. But, Mendis took 6 wickets against Zimbabwe and 4 in the finals of which 2 were not out. Narine was economical and most batsmen were clueless to read him from the hand or off the pitch.
Starc - bowled better for anybody that is named Mitchell.
Rampaul - was tough pick again. Rampaul's figures might show him on the expensive side. But, he picked wickets at the start and was crucial in the way Windies went about their game plan. And also Malinga had a horror final was taken apart single handedly by Samuels.
Some who must be mentioned for their near miss in the team. Badree for his exceptional bowling in the powerplays had a lot control and knew his limits. Wright, Raina, Malinga, Mendis as mentioned earlier Raza Hasan was very good, not to leave Ashwin, Hales showed some intent to play and err.. Balaji.
Well, almost done since we have named the best should only be fair to name the Santa's naughty list as well.
Gambhir
Levi
Kieswetter†
Kallis
Taylor*
Thirimanne
Malik
Gul
Swann
Vettori
Dernbach
