Published 23:13 IST, August 15th 2020

When MS Dhoni was left in tears after getting out in his final match for India; read

MS Dhoni could not finish it off in style in what was his last hurrah during the World Cup 2019 semi-final against New Zealand at Manchester last July

Reported by: Karthik Nair
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Mahendra Singh Dhoni shocked all his fans around world as he called it a day from international cricket on Saturday. He h me it official on his official Instagram p. MS Dhoni has been on a sabbatical from game ever since Team India's heartbreaking loss in World Cup 2019 semi-final against New Zealand at Manchester on July 10, 2019. MS was also excluded from Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)'s Central Contract List for 2020-21 season but it does t matter w as he has called it a day from highest level. 

Mahi will next be seen in action in IPL 2020 that will be played in UAE from September 19 to vember 10 where he will be leing three-time winners Chennai Super Kings.

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LAST HURRAH

Chasing a target of 240 in a rain-curtailed semi-final, India who were considered as title favourites were reduced to 5/3 in fourth over as terrific opening spell from Trent Boult and Matt Henry sent back famed top-order batsmen Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul to pavilion early. Dinesh Karthik followed soon but youngsters Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya rebuilt innings and just when y looked set, y got out playing rash shots.

H it t been for a 116-run seventh-wicket stand between MS Dhoni (50) and Ravindra Jeja (77), n two-time winners would have suffered an even bitter defeat. At one point, it seemed as if a fourth World Cup final appearance was on cards. 

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However, with asking rate climbing up, both batsmen h to take risks and Jeja perished by playing a rash stroke off Trent Boult as he was caught by skipper Kane Williamson at mid-off. onus was on MS Dhoni to finish things off in style and he kept fans and viewers on ir feet by slashing Lockie Ferguson to a six to on-side. However, a sharp throw from Martin Guptill on following delivery saw Dhoni short of his crease when he was running back for a risky second run in order to take strike. 

Indian resistance was cut short post his dismissal and it meant that y h to wait for ar four years to win ir third 50-overs World Cup trophy. two-time world champions were bundled out for 221 as Black Caps won contest by 18 runs to qualify for ir second consecutive World Cup final.

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''Direct hit. Oh! direct hit. Is this World Cup? It's Martin Guptill. Is this final!? It says that magic three-letter word and MS Dhoni is it last time he leaves big st?'' shouted Ian Smith from commentary box.
 

23:13 IST, August 15th 2020