India bowed out of World Cup 2019 after losing to New Zealand by 18 runs in the first semi-final of World Cup 2019. Gritty half-centuries from Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni went in vain as India were all out for 221 runs in 49.3
overs. India lost their top three batsmen for just five runs inside four overs as Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul could score just one run each. Dhoni and Jadeja added over 100 runs for the seventh wicket to keep India in the
chase but the duo both got out in quick succession trying to up the ante. From there on, India couldn’t recover and eventually fell 18 runs short of the target.
After India’s loss, fans, former players and Bollywood stars took to Twitter to sympathise with the Indian players. Dhoni and Jadeja, who played out of their skins to bring India back from the dead, won a lot of praise.
Jadeja, who raised several eyebrows when he was picked in the playing XI, answered his critics with both bat and ball received the maximum applause.
The biggest turning point of the match came when MS Dhoni fell in the penultimate over after Martin Guptill’s throw dismantled the stumps.
With this win, New Zealand have made it to their successive finals of cricket’s biggest tournament. They will now take on the winner of the second semi-final on July 14 in the final at Lord’s.
