In the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 semi-finals, India faced a shocking defeat against New Zealand by 18 runs to bow out of the show piece event. New Zealand posted 239 runs at the end of 50 overs courtesy Ross Taylor’s brilliance of 74 off 90 balls, while India could just manage 221 runs. India lost quick wickets at the start of the innings as they lost KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli under three runs. The team management preferred Dinesh Karthik and Hardik Pandya over Dhoni which has raised a few eyebrows.
Dinesh Karthik(6 off 25 balls) played cautiously at the start but perished to a brilliant catch by James Neesham at backward point. Hardik Pandya got off to a start but threw his wicket away to put India in all spots of bother.
Struggling at 92/6 in 30.3 overs, Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni put up a show and added 116 runs for the seventh wicket to bring back India into the game.
With required run rate soaring up to 12 in the 48th over, Ravindra Jadeja perished after playing an innings of 77 off just 59 balls. MS Dhoni could not finish the game and was run out from a rocket throw by Martin Guptill at short fine leg in 49th over bowled by Lockie Ferguson. India eventually fell short by 18 runs to bow out of the world cup.
MS Dhoni played with an injured right thumb
The 38-year-old scored 41 runs off 32 balls against England on 30th June but his intent was questioned. Dhoni was hit in the thumb by a quick delivery bowled by Jofra Archer which went unnoticed by the fans. He didn’t expressed the pain and kept quiet which was later realized by the fans that he played with a injured thumb.
Pictures of Dhoni sucking his thumb and spitting blood went viral on internet.
In the game against New Zealand, Dhoni was again struck in the right hand when a ball bowled by Jasprit Bumrah took an edge of Ross Taylor’s bat and it fell short of him. The injury seems to resurfaced and the former captain was in severe pain but did not have any complains. He kept the wickets for full 50 overs and almost pulled of dramatic victory for India in the semi-final but an unfortunate run-out made all the difference. He was seen shaking hands with New Zealand players with his left hand as his right thumb was injured.
He may have played a slow innings according to the context of the game, but one can not ignore the fact that he gives 100% for his nation.
