Kiwi pacer recalls Dhoni's 2019 semi-final knock

• NZ beat India in the 2019 World Cup semi-final by 18 runs.
• Dhoni's unusual leave surprised Ferguson; later, Dhoni hit him for a six.
• Dhoni's 50 & Jadeja's 77 weren't enough; Dhoni was run out late in the game.

In the World Cup 2019 semi-final between India and New Zealand in Manchester, when the former side lost five wickets at a score of 71 while chasing the target of 240 runs, MS Dhoniand Ravindra Jadeja got

the responsibility to help India make a comeback in the match. As per expectations, both batters took the side close to the target but eventually, the Kiwi side held their nerves and bagged an 18-run win. The Black Caps’ bowling attack displayed a stellar level of discipline to win the match. Their pacer Lockie Ferguson also played a crucial role in that success as he bowled a thrifty spell of 1/43 in his 10 overs.

Recently, Ferguson spoke to CricTracker and reminisced how Dhoni left a delivery in the crunch situation when India required 52 runs off just 31 deliveries. Dhoni’s response in pressure attracted the attention of netizen on social media then and in the match, Ferguson was also stunned by Dhoni's reaction. "I can't remember what they were needing to chase at the time, but I knew they had to score a few runs. The plan was to bowl and see if MS would undercut it, and he left it. So I was surprised because naturally, when you're bowling, you're trying to restrict runs, then it's nice when a batter leaves it,” said Ferguson.

Ferguson said that his plan was to \was to give room and lure Dhoni to play a cut shot in the air. The New Zealander also added that his plan didn’t work then but when he came to bowl the penultimate over the contest, the India great attempted the delivery and smashed it for a six. However, despite being hit for a maximum, Ferguson said that his plan was successful. I think the next over, the first ball, I tried again, and he just got it over the boundary for six. So the plan almost worked the second time as well. But it was nice to get him out that game and, of course, get across the line in the semi-final," added Lockie.

MS Dhoni’s performance in the World Cup 2019 semi-final

MS Dhoni came to bat at number seven in that game and played a 50-run innings off 72 balls. With Ravindra Jadeja, he stitched a 116-run stand for the sixth wicket off just 104 balls. After Jadeja’s departure at his individual score of 77 from 59, Dhoni was expected to take the team home.

However, the World Cup 2011 champion skipper put up a fight until the 49th over but eventually got run out while stealing two runs on Ferguson’s short ball. Martin Guptill exhibited alacrity and delivered a direct throw which dislodged bails. Dhoni fell short of the crease and with his fall, India’s hopes of winning the game also ended.