Moments to savour from big bash

From high-scoring entertainers to low-scoring thrillers and magical displays, this World T20 produced several memorable moments.

Here is a look at a few that caught the attention.


Manic Brathwaite

“The world has not seen Carlos yet,” was West Indies skipper Darren Sammy’s proclamation about the 27-year-old all-rounder. Taking guard with 19 runs needed off the last over, the Barbados cricketer gave a stunning insight into his astonishing power by smoking England’s Ben Stokes for four successive sixes and power West Indies to an incredible victory in the final. What a way to sign off a maiden World Cup appearance!


Dhoni does a Bolt

One of the fastest runners between the wickets, MS Dhoni’s stunning run-out had even physics experts bewildered. With Bangladesh needing two runs off the final ball that would have crushed India’s semifinal hopes, Dhoni collected the ball behind the stumps and dashed across in lightening quick fashion to whip the bails off and run-out Mustafizur Rahman. That Mustafizur started sprinting moment Hardik Pandya delivered the ball and also had a bat in his hands giving him a major advantage, reveals the incredible pace and cool headedness of MSD.


Virat Kohli’s gem

Virat Kohli has crafted several glittering gems in his eight-year career and his unbeaten 51-ball 82 against Australia ranks among the best. In a do-or-die battle and India on the brink (39 needed from 18 balls), Kohli turned the match on its head with a superb late assault. He smashed James Faulkner for two fours and a six and then hammered Nathan Coulter-Nile for four boundaries as India eventually coasted home. For the record, there were no reverse sweeps or any other fancy ones, just authentic cricket shots.


Champions’ dance

No one knows how to party like the Caribbeans. While their jigs for the song ‘Champion’ during the course of the tournament caught everyone’s attention, what set the social world ablaze was their dance in the hotel lobby and kitchen after defeating India in the semifinals. It’s still trending on YouTube, check it out! And Champion eventually became the unofficial anthem of this World T20.


Heist at Mumbai

Having lost their opening match and set an improbable 230 to win in the second game, England’s hopes hung on a thin thread. They, however, never lost belief and led by Joe Root, produced a breathtaking counter-attack on the South Africans to script a memorable win that spurred them all the way to the final.

Eves show the way

Before stepping on the Indian shores, the West Indies men declared that they were inspired by their juniors who won the U-19 World Cup in February. But little did they realise, the women would act as a catalyst to their ambitions. Given very little chance, the Windies eves stunned three-time defending champions Australia on Sunday afternoon to set the tone for a maiden double.


Sarkar outstanding

One may not associate Bangladesh to spectacular fielding but Soumya Sarkar’s acrobatics at the boundary line may just change that perception. Against Pakistan, he pulled off a stunner, running to his left, leaping full stretch and gobbling the ball with both hands. The momentum carried him over but Sarkar threw the ball high in the air, returned inside the field and completed a sensational catch. Versus India, he dived full length to his left, snapping from thin air the ball that was hit flat and hard.


Sammy slammers

 The first captain to win two World T20s, Darren Sammy didn’t hold back his punches in the post-match ceremony. A jovial character normally, a visibly hurt Sammy took potshots at his own board, commentator Mark Nicholas and the critics. The speech has brought him special praise for having the guts to speak his mind in front of a global audience.