‘One of the saddest days’: Ravindra Jadeja reflects on India’s heartbreaking semi-final defeat to New Zealand
Ravindra Jadeja (Image Source: @Imjadeja)

Exactly one year ago on July 10, 2019, New Zealand had registered one of their most notable triumphs over India. It was the semi-final clash in the 2019 World Cup which broke the hearts of millions of Indian fans as their favourite team lost the contest.

The Kiwis won the match and went to the final where they met England, and in a nail-biting game, the hosts ended up winning the global showpiece event.

Remembering the heart-shattering game, Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja took to Twitter to share an emotional message. Jadeja posted a picture of himself from that game and termed it as ‘one of the saddest days’.

“We try our best but still fall short sometimes. One of the saddest days! #oneyearagotoday” tweeted Jadeja.

In the game, India was chasing a target of 240 runs, and their top-order saw a stunning collapse. The trio of KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli departed for one run each. Then came Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya, who did try their best to get the side out from hot waters but failed to convert their starts to big totals.

However, then Jadeja and former skipper MS Dhoni steadied the ship and hung in the middle for quite some time. The duo added a critical 116 runs stand for the 7th wicket and at one stage it looked like that they could win the contest from there, but the twist was waiting to greet them.

The left-handed all-rounder got out at 77 off 59 balls with 4 fours and as many sixes. But MSD was there in the middle, and fans were still hopeful. With 31 required in the final two overs, Dhoni began the over of Lockie Ferguson by smashing a six.

The second delivery was a dot, and the third ball saw a mis-hit from Dhoni, but he went for two. Martin Guptill, who stormed in from fine leg, managed to get a direct hit at the stumps and the Ranchi-born was dramatically run-out which also ended all the hopes of Indian fans.

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