27 Oct “I made the announcement a year later but that day, I retired” – MS Dhoni opens up on 2019 World Cup heartbreak
It’s not uncommon for athletes to feel a deep sense of disappointment and emotional turmoil after a closely contested and high-stakes match. The semi-final in 2019 was indeed a heart-wrenching loss for Indian cricket fans, as India fell short of their target and missed the opportunity to advance to the final. When Sanjay Bangar, the former batting coach, revealed that Dhoni, Hardik Pandya, and Rishabh Pant were in tears after the defeat, it provides insight into the intense emotions that athletes can experience in such situations. It’s a testament to the passion and commitment these players have for their sport and their country.
Dhoni’s statement about it being hard to control emotions after losing close matches is a reminder of the human side of sports. Even the most experienced and composed athletes can be deeply affected by the outcomes of important matches, and the pain of defeat can be particularly profound when the stakes are as high as a World Cup semi-final.
Virat Kohli-led Team India were one of the strongest sides in the 2019 World Cup in England. They cruised to the semi-finals, where they went down to New Zealand by 18 runs.
Chasing a target of 240 runs, India got off to a disastrous start, losing three wickets with just five runs on the board. However, MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja played a remarkable innings to resurrect India’s hopes.
Dhoni’s contribution of 50 runs and Jadeja’s 77 runs was a pivotal turning point in the match, as they formed a crucial 116-run partnership for the seventh wicket. Their partnership not only helped India recover from a precarious situation but also raised hopes of a remarkable victory.Unfortunately for India, the turning point of the match came when MS Dhoni was run out by a brilliant direct hit from New Zealand fielder Martin Guptill. Dhoni’s run-out marked a significant moment in the match, as he was seen as one of the last hopes for India. After his dismissal, India’s lower-order batsmen couldn’t withstand the pressure, and the team ultimately fell short of the target, ending their World Cup campaign.
The match was a classic example of the ups and downs in cricket, and it left a lasting impact on fans and players alike, as it was a closely fought contest with high stakes.
Speaking at an event in Bengaluru on Thursday, Dhoni opened up on how the team dealt with the heartbreak of losing yet another ICC knockout game.
“It’s difficult to control emotions when you lose close games. I keep my plans ready for every game and for me, it was the last game I played for India. I made the announcement a year later but that day, I retired,” he said.“We were given some gadgets from the trainer and every time I went to him, I handed those gadgets back but he was like, ‘No, no… just keep it.” And I thought, how should I tell him that it wasn’t needed anymore, because I didn’t want to announce then,” the former Indian captain added.
The 2019 World Cup semi-final was Dhoni’s last match for India. He officially announced his retirement from international cricket on August 15, 2020.
“You are high on emotions that time” – Dhoni on retirement
Sharing his thoughts about retirement, Dhoni admitted that it’s a difficult and emotional phase for an athlete since playing a sport is all that he or she has done over the last many years.
“When you are high on emotions and the only thing you have done in the last 12-15 years is playing cricket, then there’s no more chance of representing your country. It’s a thing with sportspersons. So, once I quit cricket, there was no way I could be representing my country again and bring that glory back. So, you are high on emotions that time,” Dhoni said.
The legendary keeper-batter has continued captaining Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), leading them to title triumphs in 2021 and 2023.
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