MANCHESTER: As India marched imperiously from one league match to another, a faint, troublesome 'yes, but' lingered in the background. Yes, Rohit Sharma was in the form of his life. Yes, KL Rahul had smoothly filled the vacancy created by Shikhar Dhawan's injury. Yes,
Virat Kohli was getting the job done even without his usual overwhelming performances. But what would happen if the top 3 failed collectively?
WORLD CUP SCHEDULE | SCORECARDIndia found out on Wednesday, and it wasn't pretty. Confronted with a moving ball and bowlers who had the skill to exploit the conditions, the fabled top order froze like a deer trapped in the headlights. A late fightback turned what threatened to be a one-sided match into a thriller, but it wasn't enough to stop the Kiwis from entering their second consecutive World Cup final -- and India from bowing out at the semifinal stage for the second straight time.
Through the tournament, Rohit had regularly offered opportunities early on, and cashed in when the opposition spurned them. There were to be no second chances this time. India's talisman for this tournament was gone for 1, and the chase of 240 was already looking a lot harder.
Virat Kohli, the world's top-ranked ODI and Test batsman, was put through a swing bowling masterclass by Trent Boult. After moving a series of deliveries away from him, Boult brought one in back. The skipper immediately went for DRS. Replays showed it to be desperately close, with the ball barely clipping the top of leg stump. India retained the review, but unfortunately not the wicket. Two down for 5 runs, and desperation setting in already.
It became full-fledged despair as KL Rahul fell without any addition to the score, unable to decide whether to leave the ball or defend it. A little later, James Neesham flung himself to the left and pulled off a one-handed stunner to dismiss Dinesh Karthik. The Power Play ended with India 24/4, the lowest score in the first 10 overs in this tournament. The previous low had been posted on Tuesday, as New Zealand crawled to 27, but importantly, lost only one wicket in the process.
Rishabh Pant and
Hardik Pandya battled the odds, and their instincts. Both avoided risks while reaching 32. Then both went after lone Kiwi spinner Mitchell Santner. Pant heaved wildly across the line and was taken at cow corner. Pandya holed out to Kiwi captain Kane Williamson, who made no mistake.
New Zealand reached their second successive World Cup final
The crowd had been waiting and waiting for MS Dhoni, who finally appeared at No. 7. Given that this was Dhoni's 350th ODI, there was debate over whether it was really necessary to shield him, while throwing the far less experienced Pant and Pandya into the mix. The only possible explanation was that the think-tank was banking on him to take it deep and be there at the end to target the Kiwis' fifth and sixth bowling options.
It was a situation tailormade for Dhoni, but he needed someone to bat with him, and also keep the asking rate under control. The much maligned 'Sir'
Ravindra Jadeja entered the party. The 'bits and pieces' player had already had a good match, taking 1/34 from 10 economical overs, running out Ross Taylor with a direct hit and pulling off a stunning catch to get rid off Tom Latham. But his best was yet to come.
Jadeja clobbered 77 off 59 balls, including four sixes. He celebrated his 50 with his trademark 'sword dance' -- and directed a rather pointed glance at the commentary box. Suddenly, 92/6 had become 208/6. The Indian fans, who had earlier lapsed into shell-shocked silence, found their voice once again. If India had won the game, there's no doubt who the man of the match would have been.
But there were now just 14 balls left, and 32 runs to get. Jadeja, left with no option but to swing at everything, mishit a slower one from Boult and the ice-cool Williamson settled under the ball. Dashing millions of hopes that he might yet drop it, he calmly took the catch.
Dhoni had hit just one boundary while scrapping his way to 43. He lashed out, hitting a six as Indian hopes soared again. But the last laugh went to Martin Guptill, who's endured a tortured time with the bat. Under unbearable pressure, Guptill produced a rocket throw that beat a lunging Dhoni by a matter of centimetres. The great finisher slowly walked off the field, very possibly for the last time in international cricket, and he took the country's hopes with him.
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