Indian cricket fans were heart-broken as Team India smashed out of the World Cup after enduring an 18-run defeat to New Zealand in the first semi-final at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
Chasing a modest target of 240, the Indian top order suffered a stunning batting collapse to leave the team reeling at 24 for four.
In any case, the fans knew MS Dhoni was the man who could take them over the end goal in a crunch semi-final. Dhoni strolled in to bat after the expulsion of Dinesh Karthik as India's score read 71 for 5.
Dhoni proceeded to score 50 and include 106 runs for the seventh wicket with Ravindra Jadeja. Had it not been for Dhoni and obviously Jadeja, India would have endured a lot greater loss in the semi-final against New Zealand.
Ravindra Jadeja fell to Trent Boult for a valiant 77 but with MS Dhoni at the crease, there was still a belief that India would be able to gun down the total and seal a ticket to the Lord's final on July 14.
However, as Martin Guptill's immediate toss hit the stumps to run out India's wicket-keeper batsman, India lost all desires for a World Cup final capability.
MS Dhoni had been criticized for his strike rate and strike pivot in the 2019 Cricket World Cup as India struggled New Zealand in the semi-final, Dhoni indicated indeed why he is as yet essential to the group's parity.
As MS Dhoni was rumoured to announce his retirement from cricket at the end of the World Cup, fans across the globe have made emotional appeals urging MS Dhoni not to retire and #Donotretiredhoni was trending on Twitter.
#donotretiredhoni Please don't take retirement Mahi We love u THE LEGEND OF CRICKET @msdhoni pic.twitter.com/g9lbxeyB33
