Manchester: On a fateful day at Old Trafford in Manchester on July 9, 2019, India’s dream of a world title after 2011 took an unexpected turn. Entering the semi-finals as the top team in the group stage, India’s batting lineup faced a severe test when rain extended the match to a reserve day.
India was sure they could limit the Kiwis to 239 in 50 overs, but their confidence started to fade due to continuous rain. The team stumbled to 92 runs for six wickets, with key players Rohit, Rahul, and Kohli, who had excelled in the group stage, departing with only one run on the scoreboard. The threat of the biggest defeat in history loomed large.
While Rishabh Pant briefly reignited hope, Dinesh Karthik’s early dismissal dashed any lingering expectations. The partnership of 47 runs between Hardik and Pant injected energy into India’s pursuit, only to be thwarted once again when Hardik fell for 32 runs. The arrival of Dhoni and Jadeja at the crease revived Indian hopes.
Despite reaching a critical partnership of 116 runs, Jadeja’s departure for 77 runs left the audience stunned. Dhoni, renowned as the world’s best finisher, continued to inspire hope. However, the devastating run-out by Martin Guptill, with Dhoni batting at 50, left a nation in tears. The memory of that run-out, etched into Indian cricket history, remains a painful one.
As the innings progressed cautiously against both the weather and the New Zealand bowlers, India’s fate hung in the balance. Chahal, India’s last wicket, fell in 49.3 overs, concluding the innings at 221 runs and ending India’s World Cup journey.
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