The teams were chosen by a select group of former cricket stars and highly respected commentators who were given the task of picking a balanced side for all conditions on the basis of performances in the tournament. Statistics were used but were not the sole basis for selections.

The men’s team, including 12th man, contained four players from England, two players each from India and the West Indies, and one each from Australia, Bangladesh, New Zealand and South Africa, while the women’s team comprised four players from New Zealand, two players each from Australia, England and the West Indies, and one player each from Pakistan and South Africa.

The experts chose India’s Virat Kohli as captain of the men’s side while Stafanie Taylor of the West Indies was named to lead the women’s line-up.

Both teams include the respective players of the tournament, Virat Kohli of India and Stafanie Taylor of the West Indies. The two players, for their achievements, won glittering trophies as well as ICC World Twenty20 Gold limited edition watches from ICC Timing Partner, Hublot.

The two teams are (in batting order) men’s : Jason Roy (England), Quinton de Kock (South Africa, wicketkeeper) Virat Kohli (India, captain), Joe Root (England), Jos Buttler (England), Shane Watson (Australia), Andre Russell (West Indies), Mitchell Santner (New Zealand), David Willey (England), Samuel Badree (West Indies), Ashish Nehra (India), 12th man. Mustafizur Rahman (Bangladesh)

Women’s – Suzie Bates (New Zealand), Charlotte Edwards (England), Meg Lanning (Australia), Stafanie Taylor (West Indies, captain), Sophie Devine (New Zealand), Rachel Priest (New Zealand, wicketkeeper), Deandra Dottin (West Indies), Megan Schutt (Australia), Sune Luus (South Africa), Leigh Kasperek (New Zealand), Anya Shrubsole (England), 12th player Anam Amin (Pakistan)

Announcing the squads, ICC General Manager – Cricket, Geoff Allardice, who chaired the meeting, said: “The experts had an extremely difficult task to select the men’s and women’s squads from around 400 cricketers who represented the 26 teams, thanks to outstanding performances by all the players at this hugely successful event.

“In the end, I believe the selectors have chosen two very well balanced sides which are capable of beating any opposition under any conditions.”

ICC

And the disappointed Indian skipper MS Dhoni, in his post-match conference, time and again highlighted the difference dew made during India’s 7-wicket loss to the Caribbean side, saying that the conditions in the second innings made it impossible for him to rely on his spinners.

“It was a bad toss to lose. The first few overs when they started batting were fine, but after that there was a considerable amount of dew which meant the spinners couldn’t bowl how they would have liked to. It was coming on nicely and the ball was getting wet, so that was the difference between the first innings and second innings.

“The surface had some assistance for the spinners, it was gripping but in the second innings there wasn’t much in it for them.. Once the dew comes in, it becomes difficult for them to turn the ball. The seam gets wet and the surface becomes a bit greasy, so it comes onto the bat nicely. I feel we have seen that our spinners do struggle in conditions like these,” Dhoni said, acknowledging the difference an early start made to the all-important game.

Ashwin has been, for the longest time, Dhoni’s go-to man and the captain summoned him as soon as he could spread the field. However, his two-over spell cost India 20 runs and the offspinner was taken off the attack. Asked whether he was saving him for bowling in death, Dhoni said assessing the game situation, he wasn’t planning to re-introduce Ashwin.

“No, it was not on my mind looking at [Andre] Russell and the big hitters, and the amount of purchase there was on offer. That was not the best time for him to bowl. When the wicket is turning I like to take that gamble of keeping a few overs of the spinner so that if needed, I can make him bowl, but if not, I’ll waste that one over.”