On the day of the final, marred by rain, England had one hand firmly on the trophy. The English fans were singing, commentators and pundits were all but expecting, but somehow England's hopes of winning the tournament for the first time were shattered as they fell under pressure and crumbled after India took 4 wickets from England in the space of 7 balls to win the trophy individually for the first time.
The day started as England's finished with dreary weather that threatened to ruin the day of the final where at one point, the trophy may had to of been shared. After clearing the players to start, we found out it was going to be a match of 20 overs each, with a few people questioning whether some of England's batters, Trott and Cook, were going to be quick enough to reach the required run rate that India were to set.
After winning the toss, England sent India in to bat first, after a steady start from India many were wondering when the expected fast paced action was going to start. But after 4 overs, England had their breakthrough. Sharma falling to Broad's in-swinger and giving England some early momentum.
Then came another spell of rain, which arguably could have halted both teams in momentum but after a long delay India were back out batting again, reaching 50 runs, averaging just shy of 6 an over. But then the big wicket came, Ravi Bopara's ball, being hit on the off stump straight out to Tredwell, England now had the chance to take advantage, and they did.
After 3 slow overs in terms of India's run rate, Tredwell had his first wicket of the day, Karthik sweeping high into the air and being caught by Morgan making it 66/3. India on a run rate of just 5.5 an over.
Then followed a rampage by England's bowlers, Bopara firstly dismissing Raina for just 1 run, then the danger-man, and captain MS Dhoni came in but was immediately dismissed by again by Bopara, Dhoni guiding his shot straight into the hands of Tredwell, England were now on top.
The next few overs added some stability to India's attack, but the run rate was too low against what had been up to this point some excellent batting performances from England in previous games.
India managed to take their total to 97 in the 17th, slowly upping their run rate with Kohli on 36 but then came some expensive late overs from Bresnan, Broad and Anderson. Kohli not quite managing his half century but scoring an impressive 43, Ashwin also being run out in the last.
India - 129/7 20 Overs.
England went onto the crease knowing a run rate of 6.5 an over would be enough. However, once again Cook fell short of expectations, Cook nicking Yadav's ball, Ashwin at first slip taking the catch.
Trott, often questioned for his slower pace came in proved critics wrong, immediately helping himself to two boundaries at taking England to 17/1 off 3 overs. England carefully upped the pace but were dealt a blow when Trott was dismissed for 20, stumped by Dhoni after he came down the wicket and missed the ball. England 30/2.
Joe Root, who put in a good display in the semi-final couldn't match the good performance as he was dismissed early on for 7 runs off 9 balls. An over later, Bell was gone as well, again stumped by Dhoni, Jadeja spinning the ball away from Bell, who came down the wicket to attempt the big hit.
Perhaps advantage India, but Morgan and Bopara came in and completely swung the momentum, both players finding the sixes and putting England in control.
But then came the dramatic fall and an end to England's hopes of going into The Ashes in style. Firstly Morgan hitting the ball straight down mid wicket to Ashwin. Suddenly it was two in two, Bopara hitting the ball deep square leg again caught by Ashwin.
With 19 runs required from 12 balls, England were probably slightly in front, but with two new batsman to the crease, anything could have happened.
After a single from the first ball, Jadeja got another wicket, Butler cleanly bowled and England took only 4 off the over with Bresnan being run out.
With 15 required off the last over India had the upper hand, Tredwell and Broad having to produce some magic to give England the trophy. Broad made the boundary from the second ball giving England some hope, 11 needed off 4 balls. But just 3 off the next two balls meant England needed two boundaries off the last two to lift the trophy.
After two from the penultimate ball, Tredwell needed a 6 off the last ball but in an all or nothing situation Tredwell failed to connect and could only manage the single.
England devastated, India overjoyed, but the turning point came down to the collapse of England's batters towards the end, Morgan and Bopara the two key wickets that allowed India to take advantage. For England, the ICC Champions Trophy virginity continues, for India, they lift the trophy individually for the first time and become the second team to win the trophy unbeaten throughout.
England 124/8 20 Overs.
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