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'Costed us 2 World Cups and got credits for 3 major trophies' - Fans react as MS Dhoni's last-ever international game completes 4 years

MS Dhoni played his last international match for India in the semifinal of 2019 ODI World Cup against New Zealand.

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MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni (Source: Twitter)

MS Dhoni MS Dhoni (Source: Twitter)

On this day in 2019, MS Dhoni played his last international game, which was the semifinal of the 2019 ODI World Cup against New Zealand in Manchester. The Kiwi side won the toss and opted to bat first the previous day. In a rain-affected game, New Zealand scored 239/8 in their fifty overs. Chasing 240, India was reduced to 5/3 in no time. The Indian batters had no answer to the opening spell of Matt Henry and Trent Boult. The three in-form batters Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Virat Kohli were back in the pavilion in no time.

Dinesh Karthik was strangely sent to bat at 5, in order to save a further collapse. But the 38-year-old could not do anything much. Hardik Pandya joined Rishabh Pant and played the rescue act. The two batters did their bit and saved India from a dangerous collapse. But upon getting set, both Pant and Hardik threw away their wickets. India was 91/6 after 30.3 overs. MS Dhoni was joined by Ravindra Jadeja as India was in a tough situation.

Last international match as a batter

MS Dhoni played the role of anchor from one end and allowed Ravindra Jadeja to fire in the other end. Jadeja played the best ODI knock of his life with the bat. The Southpaw scored 77(59) and gave hope to the Indian fans. With no option left but to go behind the bowlers, Jadeja took a risk and fell in the process. MS Dhoni was the last recognized batter in the middle. The hopes of million fans fell on the shoulders of the experienced batter.

With 31 runs still needed in the last 3 overs, MS Dhoni started to open up. Dhoni hit Ferguson for a six. The former Indian captain then tried to take a couple of runs after aiming the square leg region. But a pin-point accurate throw from Martin Guptill was enough to put an end to MS Dhoni’s knock and international career. Millions of fans were hurt as India lost its last hope. MS Dhoni did not play a match for the following eight months. As the pandemic halted cricket in 2020, MS Dhoni announced his retirement from international cricket.

Here's how the fans remembered MS Dhoni's last international match -

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