It’s been nearly a decade, yet the memories of that Mumbai thriller still linger vividly. With three needed off three balls, Andre Russell unleashed a towering shot over mid-wicket off Virat Kohli’s full toss, leaving Wankhede Stadium in stunned silence. The West Indies not only claimed a dramatic semi-final victory that day but also ended India’s campaign in heartbreak.
Ten years on, Kolkata awaits another chapter in this rivalry. India and the West Indies find themselves in a similar high-stakes situation, where it’s do or die for both sides. Remarkably, this will be the first encounter between the two teams in a T20 World Cup since that fateful 2016 clash.
The wounds of that defeat still run deep, and this time, India will be eager to turn the tables in their Super 8 showdown on Sunday at the iconic Eden Gardens in the City of Joy.
INDIA AIM TO DEFY HISTORY
India’s woes against the West Indies in T20 World Cups have been long-standing, and the defeat at Wankhede was far from a one-off. Historically, the Caribbean side has had India’s number, holding a 3-1 edge over the 2024 champions. Memories of past clashes still linger vividly.
In 2009, Dwayne Bravo’s blistering 66 with the bat and four wickets with the ball at Lord’s left India shell-shocked. The very next year, Chris Gayle tormented the visitors with a 98-run masterclass at the Bridgetown in Barbados.
Then came 2016, when Lendl Simmons, Andre Russell, and Johnson Charles ensured India couldn’t claim the upper hand. The only respite for India in this saga came in 2014 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, where Amit Mishra stepped up with the ball after which Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli hit fifties, guiding India to a thrilling win with two balls left.
Clearly, India have rarely had it easy against the West Indies in World Cup encounters. In the ongoing T20 World Cup, however, both sides are on relatively even footing, each suffering one big defeat out of six matches while winning the rest.
India are being pegged as favourites in the upcoming game due to their familiarity with home conditions. Yet, the West Indies’ explosive batting lineup means they cannot be underestimated by any stretch of the imagination.
CAN INDIA HALT WEST INDIES’ EDEN RUN?
West Indies may have lost four out of seven games at the Eden Gardens, but Kolkata has always held a special charm for the Caribbean side. Remarkably, they have never lost a T20 World Cup match in the city, winning all three of their previous encounters.
In this tournament, they beat Scotland and Italy, yet it’s memories from the 2016 final that still linger – Carlos Brathwaite’s unforgettable innings, smashing four consecutive sixes off Ben Stokes to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. The chants of “Remember the Name” by Ian Bishop after that heroics still reverberate, a testament to Eden Gardens’ magic for West Indies.
The Caribbean team carries happy memories of playing at the iconic venue and will be eager to continue their unbeaten run.
India, meanwhile, may not have had consistent success against the West Indies in T20 World Cups, but overall, they have dominated the rivalry, winning 19 out of 29 completed matches. On paper, India boast a stronger squad across all departments, yet the West Indies’ fearless approach with the bat means they can always turn a match on its head.
For India, the heartbreak of 2016 still burns. That unforgettable semi-final defeat can now serve as motivation, as they look to return the favour and knock the West Indies out of the competition.
With Kolkata’s electric atmosphere and a team hungry to rewrite history, the stage is set for a thrilling, high-stakes clash where past memories meet present ambitions.
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