Heartbreaking moments for top teams in the 21st Century

#7 Sri Lanka failing to win the WT20 Finals, 2012 at home

Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene after the WT20 Final loss

Sri Lanka, in the first decade of the 21st century, was one of the most consistent teams in the ICC events. Having featured in the finals of 2007 and 2011 50-over World Cups and also the runners-up and semi-finalists of the preceding two WT20 in 2009 and 2010, an elusive World title still eluded the Lankans.

In 2012, Sri Lanka had the opportunity to drive home some brownie points and win the silverware for their two legends Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, possibly playing their last big event on home soil. Sri Lanka was on course to achieve that when they had reduced the West Indies to 2-14, including a wicket of Chris Gayle, in six overs in the finals. However, an initially sedate inning by Marlon Samuels turned into a marabou assault as the right-hander powered his way to a swashbuckling 78, to help his team post a fighting total of 6-138. His innings proved to be a match-winning one for the Windies as the hosts, in an insipid display of batting, could only muster 101 and fell short of the elusive title win on home soil by 36 runs.