'I was surprised because...': New Zealand pacer Lockie Ferguson finally reacts to MS Dhoni's shocking leave in 2019 World Cup semifinal

New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson shed light on one of the most recalled moments of ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2019 semifinal other than MS Dhoni's run out. Dhoni leaving a delivery in the slog overs of the run chase baffled many. India needed 52 runs from 31 balls when Dhoni chose to leave a short ball from Ferguson outside off stump along instead of pouncing on the opportunity to attack.

Ferguson revealed that the short ball outside off stump was a ploy against Dhoni.

"I can't remember what they were needing to chase at the time, but I knew they had to score a few runs. The plan was to bowl and see if MS would undercut it, and he left it. So I was surprised because naturally, when you're bowling, you're trying to restrict runs, then it's nice when a batter leaves it," Ferguson told CrickTracker.

ALSO READ: 19-year-old son of Ashes-winning ex-England captain scores maiden List A century, fends off Yuzvendra Chahal in run chase to steer Somerset to 8-wicket win

Ferguson says plan almost worked in second attempt

With Ravindra Jadeja's brave knock ending in the 48th over, India needed 31 runs from 12 balls. Bowling the penultimate over, Ferguson's plan did not change and bowled another short ball. This time, it was slower from the Kiwi pacer and Dhoni played the upper cut over backward point for a maximum. But, on the third delivery of the over, Dhoni was run out, caught short of the crease by Martin Guptill as he wanted to come back for a second run. He departed for a 72-ball fifty, his last of international career.

"I think the next over, the first ball, I tried again, and he just got it over the boundary for six. So the plan almost worked the second time as well. But it was nice to get him out that game and, of course, get across the line in the semi-final," he added.

ALSO READ: RCB's Romario Shepherd smashes 20 runs off one legal delivery in CPL 2025 clash enroute 34-ball 73; watch video

India lost the semifinal by 18 runs. Ferguson bowled 10 overs, conceded 43 runs and claimed one wicket. His only scalp in the semifinal at The Old Trafford, Manchester was Bhuvneshwar Kumar who got out for a golden duck in the penultimate over.

On August 15, 2020, Dhoni announced his retirement from international cricket. But, at 44 years of age, he still continues to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for Chennai Super Kings (CSK).