Even though Sri Lanka didn’t qualify for the final of the recently concluded Twenty-20 tri-series, the crowd gathered in huge numbers to watch the event decider clash between India and Bangladesh at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday (March 18). Because of the heated exchanges between the Sri Lanka and Bangladesh players in the knockout clash on Friday (March 16), the majority of support was titled towards Rohit Sharma and company in the all-important final.

The Shakib Al Hasan led Bangladesh side had defeated Sri Lanka by two wickets in the virtual semi-final, but the game was spoiled by the last-over fracas between both sets of players. Besides the on-field altercation, Shakib even threatened to take his team off the field after the umpires failed to call a no-ball for a second bouncer in the over by Isuru Udana.

Following the match, Shakib was penalized 25 percent of his match fee for breaching ICC’s Code of Conduct while Bangladesh substitute Nurul Hasan was fined a similar amount. Both the players were awarded a demerit point as well.

As soon as India secured a thrilling four-wicket victory courtesy Dinesh Karthik’s last-ball six over extra cover off Soumya Sarkar, the entire stadium went wild in celebration. Moreover, the Bangladesh captain was even booed by the local fans during the presentation ceremony.

Acknowledging the support of Sri Lanka crowd, the Indian cricket team took a victory lap at the iconic Premadasa Stadium and the stand-in Indian captain Rohit Sharma even carried the Sri Lankan national flag.

Team India’s flag gesture certainly won the heart of the local fans as they constantly cheered the Men in Blue throughout their victory lap at the ground.

“(It was a) brilliant game, brilliant for the crowd who have come out in numbers. The support we got here from this crowd was brilliant, it would be a bit different if we were playing Sri Lanka but I would like to thank them for their show tonight,” Rohit had said at the presentation ceremony after India’s win in the final.