Flashback: IND vs NZ – Semi-Final World Cup 2019
If you are an Indian fan, it is perhaps a flashback you would be better off not having. India’s loss to New Zealand in the 2019 World Cup semi-final at Manchester’s Old Trafford is one of the most haunting tales in their cricket history. New Zealand remains India’s bogey team at the ICC events, with the side having beaten them thrice in ICC knockouts, including the Champions Trophy 2000, the dreaded 2019 meet and the 2021 World Test Championship final in Southampton.
It will be India’s chance to break that voodoo when they run into the Kiwis at this year’s semi-final on November 15 at the iconic Wankhede Stadium. They will be high on confidence, particularly after having got the better of New Zealand earlier in the tournament in Dharamsala.
As the two teams gear up to add another chapter in this underrated yet storied rivalry, let’s recall their last meeting in an ICC knockout. Winning the toss, Kane Williamson’s decision to bat might have surprised some, but it likely stemmed from the venue’s history in the tournament, where the team batting first triumphed in all five previous matches. New Zealand’s recent struggles while chasing targets could have further influenced his choice.
India found themselves in a rare predicament, having engaged in a full day of cricket and spending nearly 12 hours at the ground, only to retire to their lodgings with thoughts of resuming the same contest the next day. Rain disrupted New Zealand’s first innings after just 46.1 overs on a typical Manchester summer day, with the Kiwis battling both the weather and India’s bowling to reach a painstaking 211 for 5 on day one.
As the day wore on, with intermittent rain and overcast skies, India confronted the challenging task of pursuing 148 runs in 20 overs, pending a possible restart. However, a final inspection at 6.10 pm local time led to the day’s play being abandoned, necessitating an extension into the reserve day.
Reserve day begins
In their pursuit of 240, India endured an early setback, as Matt Henry and Trent Boult wreaked havoc with the new ball, reducing them to 5/3 and later 24/4. Initially, a comprehensive victory appeared imminent, but India mounted a gradual resurgence.
First, through the Rishabh Pant-Hardik Pandya duo, and later, a remarkable partnership featuring Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni. The spinning all-rounder, in particular, delivered one of his finest ODI performances, steering India into a competitive position, with the seasoned Dhoni providing support. The match grew intensely close, but Jadeja’s dismissal swung the momentum in New Zealand’s favour for one last time. Martin Guptill then etched a historic moment, with that MS Dhoni run-out in what would be the batter’s final ODI.
India, in the final stretch, found themselves with a daunting task, as the urgency to score boundaries contributed to Jadeja’s dismissal. Subsequently, the priority of getting Dhoni back on strike presented Guptill with an opportunity to run him out, effectively dashing India’s hopes and a billion hearts. Would the second time be the charm? Time will tell.
