MUMBAI: India’s dreams of a World T20 title on home soil were shattered on Thur­sday after the West Indies stunned the hosts by seven wickets to reach the final.

Lendl Simmons fired an explosive 82 off 51 balls as the Windies broke Indian hearts in the semi-final clash at Wankhede Stadium with just two balls to spare and will now face England in Sunday’s final in Kolkata.

The West Indies went into the last over needing eight to win and Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni handed the ball to talisman Virat Kohli, who earlier scored an unbeaten 89.

Simmons grabbed a single off the first ball before Andre Russell smashed a four and six as the Windies ended on 196 for three after India made 192 for two. Simmons hit seven fours and five sixes while opener Johnson Charles notched 52, including seven fours and two sixes.

The West Indies also reached the Women’s World T20 final after defeating New Zealand by 6 runs. The Windies scored 143 for six in 20 overs and the Kiwis 137 for eight.

Published in Dawn, April 1st, 2016