On This Day — India’s 2019 ODI World Cup Dream Ends With MS Dhoni’s Final Innings

On 10th July 2019, that one direct hit from Guptill didn’t just run out MS Dhoni as it ended a legendary career and shattered India’s hopes of reaching the final of the 2019 ODI World Cup. Dhoni’s dismissal was the final blow in a tense semi-final clash against New Zealand. Until then, fans believed India would pull off another great chase. But as Dhoni walked back, silence fell across the nation. What was expected to be a day of celebration turned into heartbreak. Let’s look back at how the match unfolded and why it still hurts.

India vs New Zealand: 2019 World Cup Semi-Finals

The match where New Zealand stunned India in the 1st semi-final of the ICC Cricket World Cup at Manchester on July 9-10, 2019, was a thrilling contest that showcased grit, skill, and high drama. New Zealand’s disciplined performance and India’s valiant but ultimately falling-short chase made this game a memorable chapter in World Cup history and New Zealand won by 18 runs, advancing to the final. At the same time, India’s hopes were dashed despite a heroic fightback.

New Zealand, opting to bat first after winning the toss, faced a formidable Indian bowling attack on a tricky Manchester pitch. The Black Caps aimed to set a competitive total in this high-stakes semi-final, knowing India’s batting depth would be a challenge. Their innings started shakily when Martin Guptill fell for just 1, caught by Virat Kohli off Jasprit Bumrah in the fourth over. The early loss put pressure on the top order, but Henry Nicholls and captain Kane Williamson steadied the ship with a 68-run partnership. Nicholls played cautiously, scoring 28 off 51 balls, before Ravindra Jadeja trapped him in the 19th over, leaving New Zealand at 69/2.

Williamson, the backbone of the batting, anchored the innings with a composed 67 off 95 balls, hitting six fours. His ability to rotate the strike and pick gaps was crucial on a surface where scoring wasn’t easy. He shared a vital 65-run stand with Ross Taylor, who emerged as the linchpin of the middle order. Williamson’s innings ended in the 36th over when Yuzvendra Chahal induced an edge, caught by Jadeja at point, leaving New Zealand at 134/3. The dismissal was a turning point, as India sensed an opening to restrict the total.

Taylor, however, kept the scoreboard ticking with a gritty 74 off 90 balls, including three fours and a six. His experience shone as he mixed caution with aggression, ensuring New Zealand didn’t collapse. James Neesham chipped in with 12 off 18, but Hardik Pandya dismissed him in the 41st over, caught by Dinesh Karthik, making it 162/4. The middle order faced constant pressure from India’s bowlers, with Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Bumrah keeping things tight. Kumar struck twice in quick succession, removing Colin de Grandhomme (16 off 10, caught by MS Dhoni) and Tom Latham (10 off 11, caught by Jadeja), leaving New Zealand at 225/7 in the 48th over.

The innings saw a late stumble, with Matt Henry falling for 1, caught by Kohli off Kumar, and a run-out of Taylor, courtesy of Jadeja’s brilliance, in the 48th over. Mitchell Santner (9 not out off 6) and Trent Boult (3 not out off 3) added a few runs to take New Zealand to 239/8 in 50 overs. The total seemed modest but defendable, given the conditions and New Zealand’s bowling strength. India’s bowlers shared the wickets, with Kumar’s 3/43 leading the way, supported by Bumrah (1/39), Pandya (1/55), Jadeja (1/34), and Chahal (1/63).

The 18 extras, including 13 wides, slightly inflated the score, but New Zealand’s disciplined batting, led by Williamson and Taylor, ensured they had something to bowl at. Rain interrupted play after 46.1 overs, forcing the match into a reserve day, with New Zealand at 211/5 and the break didn’t disrupt their focus, as they added crucial runs in the final overs. The pitch, offering some grip and variable bounce, hinted at a challenging chase for India, especially against New Zealand’s pace-heavy attack.

India’s chase of 240 began disastrously, as New Zealand’s bowlers, led by Matt Henry, tore through the top order. Henry, named Player of the Match for his 3/37, struck early, dismissing Rohit Sharma (1 off 4) and KL Rahul (1 off 7), both caught by Tom Latham behind the stumps. Trent Boult joined the party, trapping Virat Kohli lbw for 1 in the third over, leaving India reeling at 5/3. The top-order collapse was a shock, given India’s batting prowess, and the Manchester crowd sensed an upset.

Dinesh Karthik (6 off 25) and Rishabh Pant tried to rebuild, but Karthik fell to Henry in the 10th over, caught by Neesham, making it 24/4. Pant, showing flashes of brilliance, scored 32 off 56 before Mitchell Santner dismissed him in the 23rd over, caught by de Grandhomme, leaving India at 71/5. Hardik Pandya (32 off 62) and MS Dhoni attempted a recovery, but Pandya’s dismissal by Santner in the 31st over, caught by Williamson, left India at 92/6. The chase seemed all but over, with India needing 148 more runs.

Enter Ravindra Jadeja, who played a counterattacking knock of 77 off 59 balls, including four fours and four sixes. His partnership with Dhoni, who scored a gritty 50 off 72, gave India hope. The duo added 116 runs for the seventh wicket, with Jadeja’s aggressive strokeplay, especially against spin, turning the game. He smashed Santner and Neesham, bringing the equation to 32 runs needed off the last two overs. India reached 200 in the 47th over, and the crowd roared as a Dhoni-led finish seemed possible.

When India Needed 37 Runs off 18 Balls

For the last three overs of India’s chase in the 1st semi-final of the 2019 Cricket World Cup at Manchester on July 9-10, the game was on a knife-edge. India needed 55 runs from 18 balls to reach New Zealand’s 240, with Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni fighting hard after a 116-run partnership. In the 48th over, Trent Boult kept things tight. Dhoni started with a double, swatting a short ball, but Mitchell Santner’s diving stop at deep midwicket saved runs.

Boult’s clever yorkers and slower balls allowed only singles, with Jadeja getting one to long-on and Dhoni adding two more. Then, Boult struck, getting Jadeja (77 off 59, 4 fours, 4 sixes) caught at long-off by Kane Williamson, leaving India at 209/7, needing 31 off 12 balls. Lockie Ferguson bowled the 49th over, and Dhoni sparked hope with a huge six, smashing a short, wide ball over point like his 2011 heroics. But a single followed, and Martin Guptill’s brilliant throw ran Dhoni out (50 off 72, 1 four, 1 six) on a second run.

Ferguson then bowled Bhuvneshwar Kumar (0) with a slower ball, making it 216/9. In the 50th over, James Neesham finished it, getting Yuzvendra Chahal (5 off 5) caught by Tom Latham. India ended at 221, losing by 18 runs as New Zealand sealed their spot in the final with sharp bowling and fielding. The match, spread over two days due to rain, was a rollercoaster. India’s early collapse put them on the back foot, but Jadeja’s brilliance and Dhoni’s experience nearly pulled off a miracle.