The MS Dhoni run out from the New Zealand v India semi-final in the ICC World Cup 2019 was one of the most heartbreaking moments for the Men in Blue fans as with his wicket, the small hope of India making it into the final was doused.
The first semi-final of the 2019 World Cup was played in Manchester and had to be continued to the reserved day due to rain. Thanks to half-centuries from Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor, New Zealand made 239/8 in 50 overs.
Indian batters batted on the reserve day and thanks to overcast conditions, New Zealand pacers rocked the batting lineup leaving them 92/6 in 30 overs. Then Ravindra Jadeja (77) and MS Dhoni (50) added 116 runs for the 7th wicket to bring India back into the game.
But then Jadeja got out trying to go for big shots and then Martin Guptill caught MS Dhoni short of the crease with a direct hit ending India’s hopes for final qualification. India lost by 18 runs and this proved to be Dhoni’s final match for India in international cricket as he retired in 2020.
In a video released by Amazon Prime Video ahead of the impending white-ball series between India and New Zealand, starting November 18, New Zealand stars from that 2019 World Cup team recalled that epic moment.
Kane Williamson: “I think I might have been at mid-off that is usually where I stand. It was clearly quite a pivotal point in the match. Unbelievable run-out from Martin Guptill for a direct hit from that distance. It clearly was a big wicket which certainly gave us a much better chance to get across the line.”
Martin Guptill: “Colin de Grandhomme was there but it had to be a direct hit and I think he [Dhoni] was something like that far short so if it had been taken he would have been safe so it had to be a direct hit. It was one hell of a game.”
Tim Southee: “In that fashion was pretty special for Guptill to be able to hit the stumps from so far away. Those who have played against MS [Dhoni] know that as long as he is there anything is possible. As long as he was there, India had a chance so it was a massive moment in the game and probably sort of final piece that had to go away, and to get it that way was pretty special.”
Tom Latham: “Where was I? I was meant to be behind the stumps but I was actually chasing after the ball and obviously, Guptill got to it before me so I was sort of hoping that there would be someone at the stump but he managed to hit the stumps so it kind of worked out.”
Check out the video here:
MS Dhoni continued to play in IPL and will feature for the Chennai Super Kings in the upcoming IPL 2023.
