Former Indian captain MS Dhoni has described the 2019 ODI World Cup semi-final loss to New Zealand as a heartbreaking experience. The match, played on July 9 and 10, was a rollercoaster of emotions for the billion-strong Indian cricket fanbase, ultimately ending in a devastating defeat.
MS Dhoni's run-out cost India big time in ODI World Cup 2019 semifinal
The run-out of MS Dhoni, a defining moment of the game, added to the heartbreak. India entered the semi-final as strong contenders after topping the league stage. However, the match at Old Trafford proved to be a stumbling block in their quest for the World Cup title. New Zealand, batting first, set a target of 240 runs, with rain forcing the match to be extended to the reserve day. Despite the interruptions, India remained the favorites to win.
India's Stumbling Start and Jadeja's Heroics
India's chase got off to a disastrous start, with the top order, including Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul, dismissed cheaply, leaving the team reeling at 5 runs. The Indian fans were stunned by the early collapse. However, Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni steadied the ship with a crucial partnership, rebuilding the innings amidst immense pressure. Jadeja played a valiant knock of 77 runs off 59 balls, but his dismissal left India needing 31 runs from the final 12 balls. The onus was on Dhoni to finish the chase, and with 25 runs required from 10 balls, hopes were high. Unfortunately, a dramatic turn of events unfolded.
A direct hit from Martin Guptill caught MS Dhoni short of the crease, resulting in a heart-wrenching run-out that shattered India's World Cup hopes. The silence that followed Dhoni's departure was a testament to the shock and disbelief that gripped the nation. The iconic wicketkeeper-batter's exit marked the end of an era, leaving fans worldwide in a state of disbelief.
Dhoni opens up on ODI World Cup 2019 semifinal heartbreak
MS Dhoni has openly expressed his disappointment over the 2019 World Cup semi-final loss, admitting it was a heartbreaking experience. However, he also noted that the subsequent period provided him with ample time to recover from the emotional setback.
"It was a difficult one because I knew that this will be my last World Cup, so it would have been good to be on the winning side. It was heartbreak moment, so we accepted the result and we tried to move on," Dhoni said at an event.
"Time thoda lagta hai aur World Cup ke baad thoda time mil bhi jata hai. Maine toh uske baad international khela nahi hai toh mujhe toh kaafi time mila-hai. (It takes time and one gets some time after the World Cup. I haven't played ar international after that, so I got a lot of time). So, yes, it was a heartbreak, but at the same time you have to get out of it. So you just accept that you tried your best, but you were not able to win it," he concluded.
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