ICC World Twenty20 2016: West Indies Won, Carlos Brathwaite's Four Sixes Off Ben Stokes in Final vs England

The ICC World Twenty20 2016 was the sixth edition of the T20 World Cup, hosted in India across venues including Eden Gardens in Kolkata, Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, and other Indian grounds in March and April 2016. India hosted the tournament and had Virat Kohli as their captain and leading batsman, with the expectation of a home-conditions advantage that Indian sides typically exploit. West Indies, captained by Darren Sammy (returning for his second T20 World Cup), came into the tournament with an exceptionally powerful batting lineup: Chris Gayle, Andre Russell, Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard, Marlon Samuels, and Carlos Brathwaite — a squad capable of producing explosive hitting from positions one through eight. England, captained by Eoin Morgan, had a competitive T20 side that had been rebuilding since their disappointing exit at the 2015 World Cup.

West Indies' Path and the Build-Up to the Final

West Indies progressed through the Super 10 stage of the tournament, defeating South Africa and India among others, and reached the final against England at Eden Gardens. In the semi-final against India at Wankhede Stadium, Carlos Brathwaite took the match in the final over, dismissing Dhoni and finishing with figures that put West Indies into the final. The match against India was particularly significant: West Indies beat the tournament host in Mumbai, in front of a crowd of 33,000 overwhelmingly supporting India. The final against England was set up as a contest between England's technical bowling and West Indies' power hitting.

The Final: Brathwaite's Four Sixes and West Indies Win

In the final at Eden Gardens on 3 April 2016, England batted first and scored 155 for 9 from their 20 overs. West Indies, at 11 for 2 early, recovered through Marlon Samuels, who played his second consecutive T20 World Cup final innings of exceptional quality — 85 not out from 66 balls, the cornerstone of the chase. West Indies needed 19 runs off the final over, bowled by Ben Stokes. Carlos Brathwaite, batting at number seven, hit the first delivery of the over for six over deep midwicket. He hit the second delivery for six. He hit the third delivery for six. He hit the fourth delivery for six. West Indies won by 4 wickets. The broadcast commentary — 'Carlos Brathwaite! Remember the name! Carlos Brathwaite!' — from Ian Bishop, the former West Indian fast bowler, became one of cricket's most replayed moments. Darren Sammy became the first captain to win two T20 World Cups. West Indies became the first nation to win the T20 World Cup twice.