The final of the Nidahas Trophy 2018 between India and Bangladesh was always going to be an exciting affair. Although Sri Lanka, the home team in the tri-series, wasn't contesting, the local fans were deeply interested in the outcome of the match.
The Indian cricket team enjoys immense support in every stadium of the world. However, because of the ugly scenes during the 'virtual semi-final' between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, the locals at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo were firmly in favour of the Men In Blue.
As Vijay Shankar's mind-boggling stay at the crease pulled India further away from victory on Sunday, fans in the stadium lost their voice. They weren't just Indians, even the Lankans were desperate for an Indian win. And when Dinesh Karthik went about playing his surreal, match-winning knock, Indians and Sri Lankans in the stadium celebrated as one.
At the end of the match, the Indian players acknowledged the support they received from the locals, for whatever reason it might've been. The winners took a lap of honour, thanking the supporters in the crowd, with a local fan proudly holding a Lankan flag alongside. One wouldn't be judged from mistaking the venue to be an Indian stadium.
Watch the video here
India clinched the final thanks to a breathtaking cameo from Karthik. Set a modest 167 for victory, Rohit Sharma's men looked done and dusted at the end of the 18th over. With 34 needed of the last two overs, hardly anyone gave India a chance.
Karthik, though, had other plans. The keeper-bat went on to play a sensational knock, smashing 29 off 8 balls to guide his team home. the icing on the cake was, of course, a last ball six. India needed five off the final ball, and DK managed to send the ball over the ropes. Needless to say, this knock by Karthik will be spoken about for a long, long time.
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 "Team India thank their supporters at the R Premadasa Stadium after winning the Nidahas Trophy on Sunday")
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