Everyone likes an underdog. They create sporting drama like no one else, should they surprise. They create admirable story lines which can be applicable to several different walks of life, not necessarily on the playing field, but beyond that too. Teams in their infancy only get better with greater participation and exposure, not less. They should be encouraged, particularly in an age where sports are competing for globalisation on the world scale. 

The end result is not the be all and the end all. Take the Afghanistan national cricket team who have made unprecedented progress to qualify for the forthcoming 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup, having been in division five of the World Cricket League in 2008. For a country who have suffered appallingly, the rise of their cricket team has improved the social lives of the Afghani people and given them something to enjoy in testing times. It's about the journey. It's about the story. It's about the remarkable progression. With more exposure, funding and playing opportunities, they will only get better. No one improves overnight or without being knocked down along the way as part of the learning curve. 

Technically, they are aggressive ball strikers, prepared to take the aerial route and challenge their boundary hitting capabilities. They have a variety of both seam and spin bowling stocks to work with. Their fielding can be sloppy and shoddy, a definite work in progress. However, perhaps most significantly they have a sense of team camaraderie, all in it together with a shared goal. Togetherness and shared ambitions are the hallmarks of successful sports sides. It’s a fundamental starting point. And Afghanistan has it in abundance.

Associates have caused upsets over the years. Associates are stronger than they ever have been in the game. Through the advent of Twenty20, because of the dicey nature of the format where the chances of upsets increase as there is less time for a stronger team to comeback should they be having an off day, associates are gaining greater confidence on the world stage.

High profile championships such as a World Cup lose its value with only a small number of sides playing. The greater the numbers of participants the better, assuming the format of the competition isn’t a drag. It’s time cricket abandons its elitist attitude and plays a more encouraging and supportive role towards their growth and subsequently the growth of the game, too.

Afghanistan have the potential to win a few games against teams such as Bangladesh and Scotland at the World Cup, both who have prior experience in the mega tournament. It’s a triumph just to reach where they are, given the odds stacked against them. However, they will dearly want to make their presence felt and walk away with some wins. Otherwise, it’s a bit like going to Rome and not seeing the pope. Regardless of the results, this is only the start of a remarkable sporting journey of a country who have suffered appallingly down the years. There is light at the end of the tunnel and thankfully sport is taking a pivotal lead in this.

Corruption from players is one of the toughest challenges the world of sport faces in the modern age. Trust is lost from the spectators. Integrity is questioned. Heroes are made into zeroes. Suspicion levels are raised every time there is an incident which comes across as dramatic or unusual in the future chain of events, rather than being an unbelievable piece of high class sporting drama to entertain the audience. The thought of match fixing or spot fixing circles the mind. One is questioning the very product they are viewing. Do the individuals participating have an ulterior motive in mind as opposed to giving their maximum best at every given opportunity? And subsequently enhancing their chances of success. 

No individual is bigger than the game. Nothing is more significant than the credibility of the sport. One cannot be naive. A strong precedent must be established. A strong message must be sent.

Governing bodies and national boards need to set the benchmark with a zero tolerance approach towards those who abuse the privileges associated with representing a team in a professional environment. Few get the opportunity to play top level sport. Many dream of, but never get anywhere remotely close. How possibly could one abuse the privileges if they are provided with the opportunity many dream of, only to fall short of chasing such dreams by variable margins?

There are several measures which can be taken to tackle the growing problem. Strong deterrents can include educational programmes, strict punishments and introducing a higher salary to provide the necessary financial security which ensures that players do not need to get into such type of activities in order to earn sufficiently. In certain parts of the world and in certain sports the salaries are too low and therefore can tempt athletes into entering troubled waters.

Perhaps the biggest deterrent of all, could be the track records and achievements statistics are totally nullified should a participator be caught and found guilty. Everything they have ever achieved in the game is gone and falls under the category of "anonymous." All that training, dedication and effort in their career will therefore count for nothing. There will be no evidence to back up what they have achieved. It will wiped out with the click of a button. This surely will make people think twice before engaging in such shameful activities which bring their team and more importantly the wider game into disrepute.

For example Lance Armstrong in cycling. He had various prestigious titles taken away from him. An unthinkable fall from grace. If more sports follow such a procedure, corruption could be minimised for the better. One wonders why they don't already? Without the fundamentals of integrity, all past achievements are futile. Sport must take a lead in that. One should not be able to cherish what they have achieved for the rest of their careers, if they fall over that dreaded line. Corruption is a major issue. There is little option but to take extremely bold steps. Sport has that precious ability to inspire and bring about change like nothing before. It's survival has to be at the forefront of everyone's minds. Being ruthless in acting against it is the only way forward. 

In statistically dominated sports where individuals get pride, pleasure and satisfaction from their numbers which reflect achievements and performances over a career, perhaps the option of that being nullified will reduce the number of match fixing cases. It may to be too idealistic to expect games to be 100% clean. But the closer to 100% the better.

Chris Tavare

Happy 60th to cricket's most famous notorious blocker - Chris Tavare. England 1980-1989. Ashes winner 1981. One of the best extreme classical players in the game during his time. One of the hardest defensive batsman to dislodge. He could bat for an age without the scoreboard moving along. The height of obduracy. He famously closed up an end while Botham was on cloud nine during the 1981 Ashes when England were attempting to fight their way back in the series. A modern day mix of Azhar Ali and Nick Compton. Some of the innings he played in his career-

35 from 240 balls

9 from 82 balls

44 from 200+ balls

A reflection of his ability to grind it out for long periods and value his wicket at all costs. 

Michael Vaughan

Happy 40th birthday to the man who captained his country to Ashes glory after 18 years in 2005 against the great Aussies side.
He also led England to 10 consecutive home Test victories before that series.
He also led England to an unprecedented 26 Test victories as captain.
He also led England to the final of the 2004 Champions Trophy.
He had the honour of leading them in the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies.

4 years today Ijaz Butt's masterstroke, a journey of unshakable resolve commenced http://www.espncricinfo.com/pakistan-v-south-africa-2010/content/story/480522.html

Stability - key word here, 4 years on https://twitter.com/bhogleharsha/status/26749614892

Not seen a more accurate assessment of a Pakistan player, 4 years on http://www.espncricinfo.com/pakistan-v-south-africa-2010/content/story/481054.html - interesting bit on Yousuf's insistence here 

4 years is an eternity to be in charge of the Pakistan side, worth 7 in a more professional set up

4 years is a long time, but even more so in today's packed calendars and with Pak always on the road

Keep repeating the 4 years bit, longevity is a key part of judging a successful captain

Given IK missed key series during his tenure, Kardar played at a time of two Tests per year, M Pak's longest serving in time

20 years since the one wicket win vs Aus in Test Series decider. Last time they beat them in the whites. http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/63654.html

Royal London One Day Cup Final

Warwickshire will be playing a Lord's final vs Durham tomorrow.

Both teams have played a county championship fixture at Lord's recently, within last month.

Warwickshire have played the Lord's final in 2010 and 2012, too.

Durham won it in 2007, defeating Shane Warne's Hampshire in a rain affected finale.

This seasons the Bears have defeated Essex in a quarter final at Chelmsford in both the Natwest T20 Blast and the Royal London One Day Cup. In both games the Eagles chased unsuccessfully.

Can the bears do the one-day Double like the Hants managed in 2012, when they beat them in a tied final from the last ball of the season?

Commentators In The Modern Age

It's a high profile occupation which shouldn't be taken for granted. These are the people behind the scenes of a sporting spectacle. Responsible for describing pictures provided on television screens as best as possible. They are paid professionals. It's a dream lifestyle. Commentating on a sport you follow passionately while being able to travel around the globe. But standards seemed to have dropped somewhat. 

One gets the impression that too many ex-players are being dished out commentary stints too easily. Commentators should get jobs based on their commentary skills rather than living off their playing reputations in order to aid them entering a media career. They should be completely neutral and unbiased in their judgement; love of the game comes before love for a team or a player. The result shouldn't matter to them the slightest. 

They are professionals responsible for broadcasting to worldwide audiences as opposed to supporters of a team. They should have knowledge about all teams, players, officials and cultures rather than following or focussing intently on just a particular side, which is often their own nationality when it comes to international sporting coverage from a global broadcaster. 

Memory is absolutely vital, fundamental mistakes on air are unaffordable. They cannot be grammatically incorrect. It undoubtedly helps when they are commentating in their preferred language choice. 

They need to specialise in a certain area of the game while being able to pass comment on all issues adequately. Imperatively, they ought to know more than a viewer, even perhaps the fanatic. In an age of a social media storm and the growth of online information courtesy of the Internet, the gap between the knowledge of fans and commentators has significantly been reduced. There are increasing occasions when one is listening to commentary and thinking, "I actually would have more to talk about than this."

They should be able to take a lead and initiate conversations. They should be able to describe the big moments and capture the effect well. They should be able to make predictions and be bold enough to be able to challenge their game assessment skills, of teams and individuals. If they are in the wrong, being able to admit their faults or justify their stance. They should greatly care about audiences views about them. Is the volume turned up or turned down when they are on air? 

Whether it's technical, mental, tactical, political or the statistical side of the game - they should not look lost when talking about any of these particular aspects. They should have a unique set of opinions on all of these various aspects the game covers. There is more to the on field aspects. Knowing about the latest developments administratively associated with the game. Knowing some interesting and unique stats about players or teams worth sharing with the listeners. 

Often players who weren't illustrious names go on to achieve more successful commentary careers as they have to work harder in order to establish their credentials in the media, in order to grab the attention of the world. They simply can't get by on their playing reputations to grab the attention of the viewers, to rise above the crowd. It's beneficial if they write for newspapers, magazines or online columns. They are this way, better prepared. It compliments their work effectively and helpfully. 

Ultimately you want a variety of commentary styles. Some serious, some eloquent, some comical with a better sense of humour than most, some major name who may be a work in progress for commentary along with a specialist presenter to control overall proceedings. But it's important to establish some fundamentals. A clearer pathway must be established for those who didn't necessarily play top level sport, to chase their dreams and commentate. They have a lot to bring to the table provided the chance to showcase their credentials.

Focus Exclusively on One Day Cricket Now For England - Winning the 2015 World Cup

With the five Test matches against India finished, England's focus turns to ODI cricket with an eye on winning their first global ODI trophy at the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup down under. England reached the semi finals or better during the first five Cricket World Cups, but in the last five they have failed to do so. They are yet to triumph in any of the 10 Cricket World Cups or 7 Champions Trophies, the only major team who are yet to win one of the two, despite reaching several finals and hosting the competitions more than anyone else. 

Can they break the 40 year ODI drought early in the new calendar in their quest to finally get their hands on a major ICC ODI title? Here I look at reasons for genuine optimism for England fans. Indeed, last time an Essex man led in a World Cup in that part of the World, they had their best World Cup campaign, reaching the final against Imran Khan's side under Graham Gooch in front of 87,000 at the MCG. 

Why England Are One of the Contenders

1) Conditions: England have played plenty of cricket in Australia over the years and conditions shouldn't be an issue. They know what to expect. They would have learn't from their experiences. 

2) Preparation: No Test Matches in the next five months unlike previous World Cups where England have had a taxing schedule to contend with, playing an away Ashes series and the World Cup in the same winter. All the focus is very much on one day cricket now. Surely England will benefit from this? Moreover, they are playing a triangular series in Australian conditions prior to the showpiece tournament early next year. 

3) Modern Playing Regulations: If there is one team that has benefited from the reintroduction of 2 new balls, 5 fielders in the circle at all times, no more Bowling Powerplay, 2 bouncers an over, it is England. Games aren't high scoring, almost a mini Test Match and the Champions Trophy was evidence of that. They have orthodox conventional batters at the top of the order to combat the threat of 2 new white balls. They have the bowlers who can utilise it effectively with seam and swing. They have the finishers who can cause immense destruction in the last 10 overs with only 4 men allowed out with the likes of Eoin Morgan, particularly with England's strategy built around wicket preservation in order to cash in during the latter stages of the innings. 

4) Prioritizing: No away Ashes so for a change the World Cup wouldn't be a consolation prize added on to the end of a long winter. England have played 10 consecutive Ashes Tests in order to ease the burden for their players in the 2014/15 World Cup season. One day cricket and a successful 2015 World Cup has become a leading priority. All the hype doesn't just surround the Ashes like previous times when a World Cup has been fast approaching. While some may argue that playing an Ashes series and a World Cup didn't affect the Australians when they won the competition in 2003 and 2007, one must remember they were a formidable force with truly great players and also they were playing the Ashes series at home too. 

5) Form Guide: They were finalists in the last major ODI tournament - The Champions Trophy. The were number 1 on the ODI rankings as recently as 2012. Alastair Cook has won more ODIs than any other England Captain. He has beaten nine different sides in ODI series during his tenure. 

6) Competition Format: All major teams are bound to reach the quarter finals. Both times the World Cup has seen a quarter final structure in place this has been the case in 1996 and 2011. No upsets have happened in terms of a major side eliminated early in those. It's effectively a 3 match knockout after a long qualification process. The best and most consistent side in the long qualifying round doesn't necessarily win i.e. South Africa in 2011, rather the one that handles pressure best and peaks at the right time and before you know it - you are in the semi finals. 

Final Word

England have their best chance of success at the World Cup since 1992 in the 44 day Australasian carnival. There are genuine reasons to be optimistic for the originators of domestic one day cricket. They are a overdue a global title in 50 over cricket. In an open tournament, they can't be written off. Triumphing in Melbourne in late March to become the sixth holder of one day cricket's biggest prize? It's not beyond them. 

60 years since Pakistan's first Test win in England. Oval 1954. Fazal Mahmood's heroics.

30 years ago today Pakistan won Gold at the 1984 Los Angeles Games. Beat Germany in the final. Hockey. 

Would like to see a 35 over final between the World Cup and World Twenty20 holders as cricket's equivalent of the Charity shield.

Sri Lanka vs India.

Or in County Cricket if not internationally. 

Nottinghamshire vs Northants.

Perhaps to commence the season in April?

Worth a trial. 

Cricket at Commonwealth Games

Gavaskar was keen to get cricket into the 2010 Commonwealth Games, held in India, when interviewed in 2006 during the Malaysian Commonwealth Games.

1998 saw Cricket played at the Commonwealth Games. South Africa claimed the gold medal. They also won the ICC Knock Out Trophy that year and had a successful Test series in Pakistan.

India in England 2007

Last time India visited following England being whitewashed down under in the winter Ashes and with Peter Moores at the helm as the post Ashes debacle appointment, they won 1-0 in the Test series under the leadership of Rahul Dravid in the second segment of the 2007 international summer.

23rd June 2013

The only time you would have heard Michael Holding commentate in a 20 over game! This day last year at Edgbaston. 

India won the 2013 ICC World Twenty20 (I mean the Champions Trophy with a 20/20 final!)

They won all five matches on their journey to glory against five different opposition. They defeated South Africa at Cardiff, India at the Oval and Pakistan at Edgbaston during the group stages. They then defeated Sri Lanka in the semi final in Wales before going on to hold their nerve to take out the title in the final against England in Birmingham. Prior to the tournament they won both warm up fixtures against Sri Lanka at Edgbaston and bowled out Australia for double digits at Cardiff. 

Today, a year on from their championship glory, they are arriving in England for five test matches, five one day internationals and a T20 fixture at Edgbaston to conclude the international summer.

It was fitting that in the week surrounding the 30th anniversary since the historic 1983 World Cup win, that India won another eight team trophy in the same month, same country and similarly like 1983 managed to scrap to defend a low total in the final. In both games it was highly entertaining bowling dominant drama. Like the 1983 World Cup final, an Indian all rounder bagged the man of the match in the final. Ravi Jadeja was a revelation as a canny left arm spinner, athletic fielder and handy lower middle order batsman. The CSK man was the leading wicket taker, although narrowly missed out on the man of the series award behind Dhawan. 

India achieved the treble in doing so. Being World champions in three ICC ODI titles simultaneously. The World Cup, U-19 World Cup and they could now boast of a Champions Trophy, too. This was their fifth ICC title since just 2007, adding the 2007 World T20 and 2008 U-19 World Cup triumph under Virat Kohli. They became the first team after Australia to be holding the World Cup and Champions Trophy at the same time. Talking of Australia, India now shared the joint highest tally of Champions Trophy titles with them having won the 2013 edition under the calm leadership of MS Dhoni, who could add the ICC Champions Trophy to his impressive CV of international achievements. India were fast establishing their status as white ball kings. They were closing in on Australia in terms of equaling the record for the most ICC major competition titles to their credit. This was their 8th adding the 1983 World Cup, 2000 U-19 and the 2002 Champions Trophy final in Sri Lanka where the trophy was shared after two days of persistent bad weather. It's highly impressive how they have won so many different high profile global crowns in different conditions for a team who are not known to travel well, particularly outside the subcontinent. 

It was heartbreak for England who were unable to break their 38 year ODI drought without a global title to speak of, the only major force remaining to have not won a World Cup or Champions Trophy, despite hosting many and reaching finals. Like 2004, losing a Champions Trophy home final in a game they were controlling. It was exactly the same date when they lost the 1979 World Cup final against Clive Lloyd's West Indies. They bottled it again. 

The tournament was significant for India for two main reasons. It followed a controversial IPL. It was India's first visit to England after the 2011 8-0 winless debacle. India needed to do well. 7-0 this time, including the televised warm ups. The men in blue were invincible, they were clinical. The fact that the team only had 3 players in the final XI that featured in the 2011 World Cup final, was a reflection of how far the youth was progressing in the country which owned the biggest franchise money making domestic league in the game. 

Like the 2002 Natwest final, India won a decisive game when they were up against it. Self belief was paramount. They beat England in the 1983 World Cup semi final. And they won the 2013 Champions Trophy. Clearly, they had the upper hand over England in important ODI championship fixtures in England and they confirmed that by winning the Champions Trophy final in front of a populated Indian crowd on a damp day in Birmingham.

India would have taken plenty of confidence from their undefeated championship glory going into the 2015 Cricket World Cup and given the conditions they did it in and the young resources at their disposal, perhaps even as far as the 2019 World Cup to be hosted by England. They certainly took plenty of confidence from their Champions Trophy showing for an impressive run in Bangladesh for the 2014 World T20 where they were the dominant side leading up to the final and for all money looked like they were going to complete the treble of the three most popular ICC competitions at the same time, before being beaten in the grand final at Dhaka. They certainly can take hope going into the forthcoming England tour from the way they played here in 2013 to banish those forgettable memories of 2011.

India carried on their upward form following the Champions Trophy in ODIs. They won a tri series in the Caribbean. They beat Zimbabwe 5-0 with a second string side. They won home ODI series against Australia and the West Indies. They had a year to remember and not just in ODIs, rather on the whole, but the Champions Trophy was undoubtedly the highlight with the 4-0 whitewash of Australia in the Border-Gavaskar series at home a close second. 

It was a rare overseas success for them in recent times, but one they can be very pleased with nevertheless. The most pleasing aspect was that they did it with the exuberance of youth. Their fielding and running between the wickets in particular surprised many who hadn't been connected with the latest developments of Indian cricket in the UK. Of course, they would have preferred to do it in a full 50 over final, but it was not to be, with the absence of a reserve day. 

It was a TEAM performance. Jadeja, Dhawan, B Kumar, Ishant Sharma, Ashwin were the architects of lifting Indian cricket at a time of need with their spirited showings under the backing of Dhoni. The bowling led the way. They restricted West Indies brilliantly at the Oval, they humiliated Pakistan with the ball, they restricted an experienced Sri Lankan batting line up in the semi final for fewer than 200 albeit on a wicket which was offering plenty for the seamers early doors, before successfully defending 130 odd against the hosts in the final on a turning wicket. India's bowling has been severely underrated when it really matters in white ball cricket. Their bowling has been a central reason behind their successes in multinational carnivals and this 7th Champions Trophy best typified that. Indeed, several of their bowlers featured in the official competition XI.  

A short concentrated world championship in the country that has the most experience in hosting international cricket competitions and it was MS Dhoni and India who took the honours. The word was that it was going to be the last competition of its kind. But thankfully at the beginning of the year following the ICC proposals with the Big 3 takeover, it's restored and in 2017 it will return instead of the proposed World Test Championship. 

It was a better and more comprehensive win than any other ICC Trophy India have won from a cricketing point of view above all else. They were not favourities. They had a young side. They were clinical. There were no associates or minnows along the way. Sometimes in ICC Events the best team doesn't necessarily triumph, but it certainly was far from the case here. 

India in England Successes

Won the 1983 World Cup
Won a Test Series in 1986
Won the Natwest final 2002
Won a Test series in 2007
Won a Champions Trophy in 2013

India in England Failures

1999 World Cup
2004 Champions Trophy
2009 World T20
2011 Tour

Test Match Drama Returns, Lankans Hold On

Once more we are reminded why Test cricket is the best form of the game.

It has a unique beauty.

It was the real winner.

It continues to show it's charms.

Five days of hard fought action still could not separate two sides, only ball 1 ball could however.

Gripping drama. 

Inevitably England would be blamed for batting too long on a placid surface. They also lacked a front line specialist spinner which partly brought their downfall on the final day with a one dimensional seam dominated bowling attack. Their over-rate was also a cause of concern, but could have been prevented in the first place with the inclusion of a quality front line spinner. 

Last day rearguard action from the Sri Lankans led by the veteran Sangakkara, who finally got his name of the honours board in the first innings. I don't think this will be the last time we see him in the whites at the Home of Cricket. Sri Lanka are due to tour in 2016. Sangakkara will retire from ODIs after the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup, but has plans of prolonging his Test career by doing so. We could see him in 2016. I think we will. 

Last day equation - War of attrition | Blockathon | Act of unflappability.

They had the technical quality, mental application and physical stamina to last a day without being bowled out.

England could not manage the 10 wickets when Sri Lanka had the chance to bore, frustrate and eke their way to safety as risk freely as possible.

They finished with just the 9.

Perhaps dangling the carrot would have been a better strategy as Michael Holding suggested on commentary. Setting an attainable target for the Sri Lankans where they would also be teased into chasing it down. Encouraging them to play their shots, creating wicket taking opportunities, making it easier for the bowlers to get them out, as opposed to pure dead batted denial at around two to the over. 

This sets up the Leeds Test nicely for Friday in what is a decisive deciding Test, on what should be a more helpful bowling surface.

Gary Ballance, Joe Root and Liam Plunkett who all had a memorable Test for different reasons will get to play at their local venue in front of the Yorkshire faithful.

Root has a hundred against the Kiwis the last time he played at the venue last May. He will be oozing with confidence after a double century to guide England to a sizeable first innings total, from a position they were in a spot of bother at following the loss of 3 early wickets in the opening session, after Matthews inserted the home side on Thursday morning. Root got his Test summer off to the best possible start after a disappointing winter downunder.

He was back at his fluent best in the middle order, showing his versatility and excellent backfoot play. Certainly he likes batting at headquarters. Back to back 150+ scores here, batting in different positions. England needed to banish the memories during a winter of discontent. And Root led the way for them. 

It was the latest Lords Test in several years in terms of the timing of the Test and generally the weather stayed warm by English standards for the duration of the Test with some overcast skies towards the latter stages of the game. Perhaps commencing the English international summer with the limited over leg of the tour is the way to go in the future.

Sam Robson had a disappointing first outing at his home ground, unable to make his mark, dismissed cheaply twice. Mark Butcher, Arjuna Ranatunga and Bob Willis feel he has serious technical deficiencies to overcome in order to survive at Test level. 

Sri Lanka's 2014

Drew 1-1 vs Pakistan in Tests
Beat Bangladesh in all 3 formats in Bangladesh
Won the Asia Cup with 5/5 wins
Won the World T20 with 5/6 wins
Won the T20 in England
Won the ODIs 3-2 in England
Drew the Lords Test in England

A maiden Test series win on English shores would just add to a formidably outstanding year this has been for the Sri Lankan national team. They will certainly start favourities in the home series against South Africa, Pakistan across both formats after this tour and the five ODIs against England at the back end of the year. Things are falling into place nicely for a country hoping they go one better third time around at the World Cup after beaten finalists in 2007 and 2011.

Test Cricket is admittedly their weakest format since Murali has moved on and a draw at Lord's is a respectable result for them. It was a moral win from the position they found themselves in. They had to dig deep and get stuck in. And they managed, just about. 

Misbah's 37th

Misbah made his full time ODI captaincy debut on his 37th birthday in Belfast.

30th May 2011

This day 2011 - 30th May 

Misbah won his first ODI series as Pakistan Captain. First of 12 won series. Against Ireland. 

On the same day Shahid Afridi announced his retirement from international cricket. That was the main news of the day.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/507996.html

25 Pointers Team India

The ICC World Twenty20 final.

Unofficially, but popularly known as the "T20 World Cup"

16 teams competed for it

The biggest international Twenty20 fixture every 2 years

The one that everyone wants to play

This is it 

Grand final after 3 weeks of action 

1) Major Trophy win each year. India. The Big 5.

2010 - Asia Cup
2011 - World Cup 
2012 - U19 WC
2013 - Champions Trophy 
2014 - World T20 ?

2) Before 2007-2009
2007 - World T20 
2008 - Under 19 World Cup, tri series in Aus, IPL started 
2009 - Gained number 1 test ranking 

3) Dhoni has won his last 12 games in ICC Events
3 vs Pakistan
3 vs South Africa
2 vs West Indies
1 vs Bangladesh, England, Sri Lanka, Australia

4) India have won 9 out of 10 WT20 games in the sub continent. IPL effect perhaps.
5) So another India vs Sri Lanka global final in the first weekend of April in the year that both teams are due to tour England. 2011. 2014.

6) When India went on to win the 2007 wt20, World Cup 2011 and 2013 Champions Trophy, they played the second semi final. Same case here 2nd SF.

7) India are not the type of team that lose semi finals and finals.When they reach the business end, they finish the job.That's been the trend.

8) India lost 7 super eight games in a row in 2009-2012. Now won 6 in a row of super eights or super 10s now including those final 2 in 2012.

9) If Dhoni wins next game he will equal Ponting with 4 major ICC titles to his credit.Though Ponting won all his in 50 overs. WC+CT double.

10) Tomorrow is the fourth ICC final between India and Sri Lanka
2000 - Under 19 World Cup = India won 
2002 - Champions Trophy = NR
2011 - World Cup = India won 
2014 - World T20
They have met 8 times in Asia Cup finals 

11) India in ICC Events since 2007 World T20
2007 World T20 = India won
2008 Under 19 World Cup = India won
2009 World T20 = Failed to make SFs
2009 Champions Trophy = Failed to make SFs
2010 Under 19 World Cup = Failed to make SFs
2010 World T20 = Failed to make SFs
2011 World Cup = India won
2012 Under 19 World Cup = India won
2012 World T20 = Failed to make SFs
2013 Champions Trophy = India won
2014 Under 19 World Cup = Failed to make SFs
2014 World T20 = Probably winners

12) 6 major all team ICC Trophies since 2007. 2 in 50 overs, 2 in 20 overs, 2 with the U19s. 9 ICC titles overall for Ind now. Same with Australia. 

Scyld Berry got that table a bit wrong that I cropped in previous tweet. Did not count the 2002 NR final between Ind vs Sri Lanka. 

13) Ind won 5/5 games in CT13.
India have chance of winning 6/6 at WT2014.

14) India have been ICC treble holders before at same time recently 
2011 World Cup 
2012 Under 19 World Cup
2013 Champions Trophy

15) Dhoni has been ICC treble holder before (though not at same time)
2007 World T20
2011 World Cup
2013 Champions Trophy

16) India at the World T20
2007 = Won
2009 = Failed to make SFs
2010 = Failed to make SFs
2012 = Failed to make Sfs
2014 = Won or Finalists

17) Both World T20 finals India have played have been against an Asian side
Both World T20 semis India have played have been against Southern Hemisphere side

18) India and Sri Lanka met in a tri series final last year. Dhoni's last over brilliance in the West Indies. Likewise, Dhoni was also MOM in 2011 World Cup final in Mumbai as well as that tri series final. 

19) Dhoni has won all 3 popular T20 competitions
World T20 twice by tomorrow 
IPL twice 
CLT20 won too 

20) Dhoni's CV = Product of Persistence 

Impressive tournament captain.
Impressive one day captain.
Impressive home captain.
Struggling Test captain.
Struggling Overseas captain.

TRIUMPHS

Champions Trophy Winners 2013 in England
Tri Series Winners 2013 in the West Indies
World Cup Champions 2011 in India
World T20 Champions 2007 in South Africa
Led India to number 1 in test rankings in 2009
Asia Cup Winners 2010 in Sri Lanka
Tri Series Winner in Australia in 2008
IPL Winner x 2 (2010 and 2011) and 3 IPL finalists (2008, 2012, 2013)
CL T20 Winner 2010
Led India to number 1 in ODI rankings in 2013
Won 3 home test series vs Australia by 2-0 in 2008, 2-0 in 2010, 4-0 in 2013
Whitewashed England 5-0 at home in 2011 in 5 ODIs
Most test wins by an India Captain
Led India to World T20 final 2014 

FAILURES

Lost 8 consecutive overseas test matches in 2011/12
Failed to reach the semis in the last 3 ICC World T20s 2009-2012
Lost a home test series against England in 2012
Failed to win 3 home T20 2 match series in 2012 vs NZ, Eng and Pak
Failed to reach Asia Cup final in 2012 in Bangladesh
Failed to reach tri series final in 2012 in Australia
Lost an ODI series against Pakistan at home 2012/13
Lost an ODI series against England 3-0 in 2011 in England
Lost an ODI series against South Africa 2011
Lost an away ODI series in South Africa 2013
Lost an away Test Series in South Africa 2013
Lost 4-0 in away ODI series in New Zealand 2014
Lost a Test Series in New Zealand 2014

21) Virat Kohli could join Yuvraj Singh to have won all 4 ICC titles as a player, but Virat had one as a captain and in 2002 the Champions Trophy final was shared for India and Yuvraj the player. Did it in just SIX years.
Under 19 World Cup 2008
World Cup 2011
Champions Trophy 2013
World T20 2014

22) India came into this tournament having won only 2 out of 16 internationals. Winless tours of SA, NZ and average Asia Cup.

23) Advanced tweet "Congratulations to India on becoming first team to win it twice. They host the next one."

24) Sri Lanka did win the warm up against India. Hard to look past India. In a different league at the minute. The margins of victory for India not only in this, but during the CT last year are simply staggering.

25) Word on Sri Lanka: 15-1 for SL on their extended tour of Bangladesh. Series wins. Asia Cup winners. World T20 winners/runners up in a 16 team event. Nicely set up for England tour.

Sri Lanka in Last Two Asia Cups

Sri Lanka in 2014 Asia Cup
Won 5/5
Won the Asia Cup

Sri Lanka in 2012 Asia Cup
Lost 3/3
Finished last