Kiwi players reveal the feeling after MS Dhoni's run out in the 2019 World Cup semi-final

The 2019 ODI World Cup was a burning testimony to the kind of impact that MS Dhoni not only had on the fans but also on the cricketers. India had an early scare while chasing down a modest total against the Kiwis in the semis but an incredible display of resilience from Jadeja and Dhoni turned the tide in India’s favour and they started going for the throats of the Blackcaps.

However, as the game was headed to its very end, it was a battle of how Dhoni can steer India across the finish line, especially when Jadeja got out. He did manage to put in his last bit of heart and soul but couldn’t find a way to help India cross the line as he was run-out by Martin Guptill’s incisive brilliance.

In a video released by Amazon Prime in the wake of the upcoming series of India vs New Zealand, the Kiwis revealed how they felt when Dhoni’s wicket finally tumbled, paving the path for their advancement to the finals.

New Zealand skipper, Kane Williamson said, “I think I might have been at mid-off that is usually where I stand. It was clearly quite a pivotal point in the match. Unbelievable run-out from Martin Guptill for a direct hit from that distance. It clearly was a big wicket which certainly gave us a much better chance to get across the line.”

Tom Latham stated, “Where was I? I was meant to be behind the stumps but I was actually chasing after the ball and obviously, Guptill got to it before me so I was sort of hoping that there would be someone at the stump but he managed to hit the stumps so it kind of worked out.”

The man who made it possible, Martin Guptill said, “Colin de Grandhomme was there but it had to be a direct hit and I think he [Dhoni] was something like that far short so if it had been taken he would have been safe so it had to be a direct hit. It was one hell of a game.”

Tim Southee was the final man to talk about the last time we would witness MS in the Indian jersey as he said, “In that fashion was pretty special for Guptill to be able to hit the stumps from so far away. Those who have played against MS [Dhoni] know that as long as he is there anything is possible. As long as he was there, India had a chance so it was a massive moment in the game and probably sort of final piece that had to go away, and to get it that way was pretty special.”

India will begin their T20I series against New Zealand from 18th of November with the first contest slated to be played at the Wellington Regional Stadium. Hardik Pandya will be leading the Indian forces in the distant shores of the Kiwis.