Team India’s World Cup campaign came to an end when they fell short of New Zealand’s 239/8 on Wednesday. Chasing 240 to win, the Men in Blue lost their top order batsmen Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul cheaply.
When India’s scorecard read 92/6, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja joined wicketkeeper-batsman MS Dhoni in the middle. The duo added a 116 run partnership for the seventh wicket, taking India within touching distance of reaching the finals. However, Jadeja got out for 77 and Dhoni was run out by a brilliant throw from Martin Guptill as India fell short by 18 runs.
WHAT A MOMENT OF BRILLIANCE!
Martin Guptill was 🔛🎯 to run out MS Dhoni and help send New Zealand to their second consecutive @cricketworldcup final! #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/i84pTIrYbk
— ICC (@ICC) July 10, 2019
Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar, who is quite active on social media, has asked the fans not to criticize Team India for he felt they played remarkably well throughout the tournament.
The Men in Blue won seven out of their 10 matches played in the tournament while lost just two. One of their games, which was also against the Black Caps, was washed out.
Akhtar also heaped praise on Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni for keeping their side in the hunt. He said in his Youtube channel, ” What a match. Wah, Wah, Ravindra Jadeja.. very good innings. Dhoni..you are an absolute legend. With your game today, you have proved you’re a great batsman and a great brand ambassador for the team. But unfortunately, that run out changed it. A dive would have changed it. India, you were so close..yet so far.”
“But hats off India. India fought back really well. You have done yourself very proud. Jadeja, you have saved the grace. It was a poor batting performance from the top five players. Rohit got a brilliant ball. However, I think Virat Kohli was unlucky as it was a poor decision to give him out. The ball was just clipping the bails and he was given out by the on-field umpire. The other batsmen also did not show much intent until Jadeja came in and played superbly. And so was Dhoni who kept India in the hunt. It was unfortunate that Jadeja got out got out to a ball that he could have hit for a six. And had Dhoni dived, who knows, he wouldn’t have got run-out and would have taken India across the finishing line.”
