When Martin Guptill’s bullet throw to dismiss MS Dhoni broke several hearts in 2019 World Cup

Back in 2019, several Indian hearts broke when MS Dhoni got run out in the semi-final of the World Cup at Old Trafford in Manchester.

In a match that went into the Reserve Day due to inclement weather, the Men in Blue ran the Black Caps close, but ended up losing the match by 18 runs.

India lost only one match and won seven out of nine games in the league stage, but failed to carry the momentum into the semis. Dhoni tried his heart out, but his efforts went in vain. It also turned out to be the last time when the world saw Dhoni in an Indian jersey before he retired in August 2020.

With 31 runs to win off two overs, Dhoni smashed Lockie Ferguson over the point region for a massive six. Thereafter, he played out a dot ball. In the third ball of the penultimate over, Dhoni tried to retain the strike by taking two runs.

But Dhoni failed to complete the second run thanks to a brilliant direct hit from Martin Guptill. Once Guptill hit the stumps at the striker’s end, it was known that Dhoni was in trouble. Later replays showed that Dhoni was caught short of his crease.

Dhoni scored 50 runs off 72 balls with one four and one six. He also put on a partnership of 116 runs for the sixth wicket with Ravindra Jadeja after India were reduced to 92 for six in 30.3 overs.

When Dhoni returned to the pavilion, India needed 24 runs to win off nine balls with two wickets in hand. Yuzvendra Chahal hit James Neesham for a four, but India were bowled out for 221 in 49.3 overs while chasing 240.

Four years ago, India are again scheduled to face the Kiwis in a semi-final of the ODI semi-final, this time at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

Like 2019, even this time around, the team, led by Rohit Sharma, finished the league stage on top of the table. In the first round, India beat New Zealand by four wickets when the two teams met at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium in Dharamsala.

It remains to be seen if India can forget the disappointment of the semi-final four years ago and put in a stronger performance this time around.