World Cup 2019: India exit from World Cup after top order collapse
India succumbed to an 18-run defeat against a gritty New Zealand in the World Cup semi-final in Manchester on Wednesday.
India's famed top-order imploded on a day when it mattered most as a gritty New Zealand survived a swift counter attack from Ravindra Jadeja to win an exciting World Cup semi-final by 18 runs, on Wednesday. (AP)
New Zealand made it to their second successive final, with credit going to their pacers' -- Matt Henry (3/37) and Trent Boult's (2/42) -- deadly opening spell and Lockie Ferguson's steely nerve in the penultimate over. (Reuters)
Call it irony, Dhoni, in what could be his last international innings, was run-out by a direct throw from Martin Guptill. (AP)
This was after Dhoni and Jadeja raised visions of an improbable win after adding 116 runs for the seventh wicket, coming together at 92 for six. Jadeja came in under overcast conditions when all looked lost and then wielded the willow like a sword, proving a point to critics like Sanjay Manjrekar in the most befitting manner. (AP)
Rishabh Pant (32) and Hardik Pandya (32) then steadied the ship with a 47 run stand with the left-hander hitting some crisp drives through the off-side cordon. Just when they seemed to have got settled, Pant's impetuosity cost India dearly as his slog sweep was taken by Colin de Grandhomme off Santner. (AP)
The chase wasn't a big one but Henry's first spell did upset the applecart once and for all. Man of the Moment, Rohit Sharma (1) got a delivery from Henry that squared him up as it straightened after pitching. The nick was taken by Tom Latham. (Reuters)
