5 times an Indian cricket team lost a final after being unbeaten in a major tournament
India Women went down to Sri Lanka Women by eight wickets in the final of the Women's Asia Cup 2024 played at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Sunday, July 28. Despite the Lankans being hosts, it was a massive upset since the Women in Blue have won seven of the previous eight Asia Cup editions.
India Women won the toss and opted to bat first in the summit clash against Sri Lanka. India lost in-form opener Shafali Verma for 16, while Uma Chetry (9) and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (11) also fell without making much of a contribution. Smriti Mandhana, however, top-scored with 60 off 47, while Jemimah Rodrigues (29 off 16) and Richa Ghosh (30 off 14) also chipped in with good cameos.
Chasing a target of 166, Sri Lanka lost Vishmi Gunaratne for 1 to a run out. However, captain Chamari Athapaththu held the innings together with 61 off 43. Harshitha Samarawickrama also scored an unbeaten 69 off 51, while all-rounder Kavisha Dilhari hammered 30* off 16. Sri Lanka's dominating batting effort saw them chase down India's total and clinch their maiden Women's Asia Cup title.
As for Team India, they were undefeated in the tournament, but lost the final. On that note, let's look at five instances when an Indian cricket team lost a final after being unbeaten in a major tournament.
#1 Men's ODI World Cup 2023
This was an absolute shocker for the Indian Men's cricket team and its fans. The Men in Blue had dominated the ICC event at home in incredible fashion. They cruised through the league stage and barring a match against New Zealand in Dharamsala were not tested at all.
In the semifinal against the Kiwis, they registered a 70-run win at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai as Mohammed Shami claimed 7-57. It was almost a given that India would lift the trophy. Australia, however, proved too good for the hosts in the final and registered a comprehensive six-wicket win at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, breaking a billion Indian hearts.
#2 Men's Under 19 World Cup 2024
Another India-Australia final and another instance of the Aussies getting the better of the Men in Blue. Placed in Group A in the ICC Men's Under 19 World Cup 2024 held in South Africa, India won their group matches comprehensively to progress to the Super Six round. They registered wins over Bangladesh, Ireland and the US.
In the Super Six stage, they defeated New Zealand and Nepal by big margins. India featured in a close semifinal against South Africa, but sneaked home by two wickets. They, however, succumbed to Australia in the final going down by 79 runs. Chasing a target of 254 in Benoni, they crumbled under pressure and were bowled out for 174 in 43.5 overs.
#3 Women's Asia Cup 2024
India were completely dominant in the 2024 Women's Asia Cup held in Dambulla and looked set to clinch their eighth title. Placed in Group A, they hammered Pakistan by seven wickets and followed it up with comprehensive wins over United Arab Emirates (78 runs) and Nepal (82 runs).
They took on Bangladesh in the first semifinal and came up with yet another clinical effort. Renuka Singh and Radha Yadav picked up three wickets each as Bangladesh were held to 80-8. India gunned down the target in 11 overs, with all 10 wickets in hand. An inspired Sri Lanka, however, proved too good for them in the final of the 2024 Women's Asia Cup.
#4 Men's T20 World Cup 2014
Like in the 2023 ODI World Cup, the Indian men's team was unbeaten heading into the final in the 2014 T20 World Cup in Bangladesh as well. The Men in Blue, who played all their matches at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka, began the ICC event by crushing Pakistan by seven wickets.
They went on to hammer West Indies by seven wickets, hosts Bangladesh by eight wickets and Australia by 73 runs to cruise into the knockouts of the competition. In the second semifinal, they registered a six-wicket win over South Africa.
Team India were favorites in the final against Sri Lanka. However, batting first, they put up an extremely shoddy show and were held to 130-4. Virat Kohli top-scored with 77 off 58, but Yuvraj Singh struggled miserably and labored his way to 11 off 21 balls. In the chase, Kumar Sangakkara hit a sublime 52* as won the final by six wickets, going past India's total in 17.5 overs.
#5 ICC Men's Champions Trophy (ICC Knockout) 2000
Under Sourav Ganguly's leadership, India ushered in a new era and even reached the final of the ICC Champions Trophy in 2000 held in Nairobi. They beat hosts Kenya by eight wickets in the pre-quarterfinal.
The Men in Blue then registered one of their most famous ODI wins over Australia, registering a 20-run win in the quarterfinal. Yuvraj Singh, playing in his first international series, starred with 84 off 80 and also effected a brilliant run out of Michael Bevan. Australia were bowled out for 245 in a chase of 266.
India were clinical in the semifinal and brushed aside South Africa's challenge, registering victory by 95 runs. The Men in Blue, however, yet again stumbled in the summit clash. Batting first against New Zealand, they put up 264-6 on the board as skipper Ganguly led from the front with 117. Chris Cairns, however, struck an unbeaten 102 as the Kiwis won the hard-fought clash by four wickets.