Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar recounted Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s response to losing to New Zealand in the 2019 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup semi-final match at Old Trafford in Manchester. Dhoni maintained his composure and achieved a half-century before being run out by Martin Guptill as the top-order disintegrated during the 240-run chase. Despite Ravindra Jadeja scoring a key 77-run knock, India still fell short by 18 runs.
Sanjay Bangar claimed that the 2019 semi-final was a devastating moment for everyone when chatting on the radio during the ongoing match between India and New Zealand at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala. Dhoni and other players reportedly sobbed inconsolably in the locker room, according to him.
“Considering how well India was playing cricket at the time, it was a painful moment for all the players. We finished the league phase with seven victories, so to exit in that manner was not good, according to Sanjay Bangar.
“Players wept like little babies. MS Dhoni was sobbing like a baby. Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya both had tears in their eyes. Such tales are still in the changing room,” he continued.
Regarding India’s World Cup 2019 performance, they advanced to the semifinals by winning seven league games and dropping one to England. Before rain ruined the match, India got off to a strong start against New Zealand, holding Kane Williamson and company to 239 runs in the allotted overs.
Trent Boult and Matt Henry dominated India’s top order during the second innings of the reserve day’s play, leaving the Men in Blue at 5/3 after the fourth over. To improve India’s batting order, Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya both contributed 32 runs. Later, Dhoni and Jadeja each scored a half-century, giving the two-time champions cause for optimism.
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