2019 World Cup Semi-Final was possibly one of the biggest cricket heartbreaks for India.
The match where they face the Black Caps (New Zealand) who had silently but comfortably qualified for the knockouts.
While India on the other hand had dominated finishing first in the group stage with only one defeat to England.
The match began with New Zealand winning the toss but then struggling to score runs against the furious bowling attack of India.
With wickets falling in intervals and Indian bowlers being tough to play, rain forced the game into the reserve day when the Black Caps were on struggling at 211/5 in 46.1 overs.
Second Day of the Game
With the start of the game on the second day, New Zealand pulled it off to a score of 239/8 and let India chase a target of 240.
New Zealand bowlers were in good form throughout the tournament and were expected to go with the same intent.
Indian fans had a great belief in making it to the finals due to the solid batting attack of the team.
The top order being in an amazing form throughout the tournament was expected to make the chase successful.
The second innings started with some good spells from Trent Boult who dismissed the Indian top three for 5 exposing the middle order very early.
After patient 30s from Pandya and Pant, the Indians further collapsed at 92/6 with almost all hopes gone with lack of wickets and a rising required run rate.
Dhoni and Jadeja set the paths for a victory
Dhoni and Jadeja then built a steady partnership with Dhoni as always taking the game as deep as he could while Jadeja was counterattacking bringing India back in the game.
The game was going quite well according to the plan of MS Dhoni.
When the game seemed to be in control, India lost the expensive wicket of Ravindra Jadeja with 31 required off 13 balls remaining.
And this led the hopes of the crowd to bend towards the 2011 World Cup Legend MS DHONI.
The expectations on him to pull off the run chase to victory were at the peak.
A big Heartbreak for the Indian fans
And then a disaster happened when the rocket throw of Martin Guptil hit the stumps, running Dhoni out for 50 and ending the hopes of a billion people to win the World Cup.
With the dismissal of Dhoni, the dreams came to an end and finally India folded for 221.
The end of the 2019 world cup campaign was the end of MS Dhoni’s career and it was really disappointing that the legend went back home with empty hands.
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