‘Ek shandaar career ka anth’- Fans remember MS Dhoni’s ‘infamous’ last international match four years ago on this day
MS Dhoni’s career unofficially came to an end on this day four years ago in 2019 in an eventful semi-final against New Zealand in Old Trafford, Manchester. The game was a two-day affair because of rain. The Kiwis got to 239-8 in their 50 overs. Kane Williamson made a valuable 67 off 95 balls with six fours and Ross Taylor made a wonderful 74 off 90 balls with three fours and one six. Bhuvneshwar Kumar picked 3-43 in his 10 overs and was the most successful bowler for the Men in Blue.
In the second innings, the pace duo of Trent Boult and Matt Henry rocked India at the top as Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul were dismissed by Matt Henry. The prized wicket of Virat Kohli was scalped by Trent Boult. The Men in Blue were reeling at 3-5. Shortly after Dinesh Karthik was dismissed for a low score as well. Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya came to the crease and made 32 off 56 balls with four fours and 32 off 62 balls with two fours.
MS Dhoni led India to a T20 World Cup, 50 over World Cup and Champions Trophy win
Just when it looked all down in the dumps for India, Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni brought the Men in Blue back into the game with a counterattacking partnership. MS Dhoni made 50 off 72 balls with one four and one six. Jadeja showed why he is rated so highly with the bat as he slammed a quickfire 77 off 59 balls with four fours and four sixes. Ultimately, these contributions went in vain as Matin Guptill ran out of MS Dhoni with a razor-sharp throw after MS Dhoni had scored 50.
This also meant that India crashed out of the 2019 World Cup and that the Indian fans saw the last of MS Dhoni in an ODI jersey. The skipper who led them to a T20 World Cup in 2007, ODI World Cup in 2011 and a Champions Trophy win in 2013 had played his last ODI game for India. It was not the fairytale ending that he hoped for. India have not won an ODI World Cup since 2011 and they would want to set things right come the 2023 ODI World Cup.
Let us take a look at the reactions on Twitter:
సరిగ్గా 4 ఏళ్ల క్రితం 2019 లో తన చివరి ODI మ్యాచ్ ఆడిన మన మహేంద్ర సింగ్ ధోనీ 💪🏻
#Dhoni #MSDhoni #TeamIndia #OnThisDay #StarSportsTelugu pic.twitter.com/YLpvKbdqWr— StarSportsTelugu (@StarSportsTel) July 9, 2023
Since 2019, my birthday isn't the same!
India lost SF against NZ on 10th July 2019 – i.e. on my birthday!
The visuals of MS Dhoni run-out still haunt me – specially on my birthday!
I still say – a dive that day could have saved us! #CWC19#NZvINDpic.twitter.com/gJrqD9HOvo
— Nilesh G (@oye_nilesh) July 10, 2023
#OnThisDay in 2019, A direct hit which broke millions of hearts 🥺💔#MSDhoni #ICCWorldCup pic.twitter.com/9p972QaK4a
— Kamal Shil (@KamalsOfficial) July 10, 2023
Last time when i literally cried it was 2019 semifinal when MS Dhoni got run out and we could see tears in his eyes too. after that Always cheered up for this team, never had hopes that they can really win. today It felt sad but now it's ok cause now it's habbitual for us. pic.twitter.com/48TMVJdT2R
— 𝐒 𝐰 𝐚 𝐫 𝐚 (@SwaraMSDian) July 10, 2023
On this day in 2019 ,MS Dhoni took all the blame even after scoring 50 💔💔pic.twitter.com/h5rwWLVI5f
— 🄺Ⓐ🅃🄷🄸🅁 1⃣5⃣ (@katthikathir) July 10, 2023
The End of an ERA, And his AURA 💔
On this day 2019,Mahi played his last match for country 🥹 @msdhoni #runout #Thala #MSDhoni #heartbreak pic.twitter.com/EVYrFBwOIi— __MSD7781__ (@SurajHS3) July 9, 2023
https://twitter.com/imVKh0L/status/1678037650220122114?s=20
On this day in 2019, I cried along with Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni at the same time. It should have been a wholesome moment, but well it wasn't. 🥹
— Nithish Rao (@Nith_ISHH) July 10, 2023
#OnThisDay in 2019, a heartbreaking end to MS Dhoni's international career!
With 25 needed off 10, he tried to scamper a second run to keep strike, but Martin Guptill all but sealed New Zealand's place in the World Cup final with a rocket throw 🎯#msdhoni #dhoni pic.twitter.com/99J1faFbwd
— Anil Meena (@anilmeena666) July 10, 2023
The Great MS Dhoni who scored total 17266 runs with 830 dismissals , won all major Trophies and changed Indian cricket completely, played his last match on this day in 2019 . pic.twitter.com/wszNztagcf
— MAHIYANK™ (@Mahiyank_78) July 10, 2023