Picture Credit: AFP
None of the Indian Cricket Fans can forget Martin Guptill's direct hit to run MS Dhoni out. With that runout, India's last hope to win the World Cup was shattered. Another day, another ICC Knockout fixture, and another defeat for India. On July 10, 2019, India were handed another World Cup Semifinal loss but this time by the calm and composed Kiwis, in a rain-interrupted game.
India were brilliant throughout the tournament as they had won all their league matches except against England. They were the favourites, but, India in the knockouts is a totally different story. New Zealand did well to post a total of 239, thanks to the half-centuries from skipper Kane Williamson and the experienced Ross Taylor.
Top-order collapse resulted in another loss
The total seemed chasable but India's woes against swing bowlers continued and both the openers perished to Matt Henry. The Indian skipper was taken off by the inswinger from Boult. Neesham took a screamer to dismiss Dinesh Karthik. Pant and Pandya showed some resistance and were looking good, but succumbed to the climbing run-rate pressure and Santner's sensible bowling.
MS Dhoni was left stranded in the middle but Ravindra Jadeja came to the rescue. He had a good day in the field and the confidence reflected in his batting. He smacked bowlers all around the park and scored a quick half-century. When things were looking good, Boult outfoxed him and Jadeja was dismissed. Now, it was all up to MS Dhoni to finish things off. He tried but could not. The veteran wicketkeeper tried to steal a second run and fell short by inches.
India lost the match by 18 runs and the dream of winning their third World Cup was put to an end.