ICC World Cup 2019 semi-final played at Manchester, England on 9 & 10 July 

New Zealand 239/8 (LPRL Taylor 74, KS Williamson 67, HM Nichols 29, B Kumar 3/43 beat India 221 all out in 49.3 overs (RA Jadeja 77, MS Dhoni 50, R Pant 32, HH Pandya 32, MJ Henry 3/37, MJ Santner 2/34, TA Boult 2/42) by 18 runs.

Player of the Match: MJ Henry (New Zealand)

DHAKA: Tiny New Zealand of only few million people rocked and shocked India of billions in ICC world cup cricket 2019 yesterday in the Semi Final played at Manchester. Proving all speculations wrong the 2015 losing finalists stormed into the final setting a date with the winners of the other semi final to be played today between Australia and England. Tournament’s hot favorite India lost by 18 runs failing to chase a modest score of New Zealand of 239/8. New Zealand bowled and fielded brilliantly crashing India’s pride.

It was an ODI played over two days. The rain forced the match rolling over to the reserve day after New Zealand batting first and playing cautiously against very penetrative and accurate Indian bowling reached 211/5 by 46.1 overs. On the morning of 10 July before the match started formers star cricketers while previewing thought nothing less than 250 -260 would test strong Indian strong batting line up.  Over the 23 balls left New Zealand added a further 28 runs. It could be a bit more had not the warrior of day Ravindra Jadeja demonstrated two excellent piece of fielding taking an excellent catch to dismiss Santner and getting Taylor run out with an excellent direct throw from the deep. Taylor scored 74 .If he stayed till the last New Zealand could reach 250 plus. KS Williamson yesterday scored 67. The utility of patient batting of Williamson and Taylor on match review at the end proved gold.

Any way India and its billion blue attired dancing and cheering admirers appeared merry as India had to chase what to many appeared a modest total. India bats deep and have several players who are known as blasters in limited over cricket. New Zealand had other ideas. In about 30 minutes of a tremor created by Henry and Boult India started rocking. Rohit, Virat and Rahul perished by the 4th over. Each scored 1 runs and India was 3/5. Karthik was promoted in the batting order ahead of Dhoni for best reasons known to Virat. He also feel quick reducing India to 4/24 by the 10th over. Mat Henry was on fire bowling fast, bouncing and moving off the seam. He removed Rohit and Rahul caught behind. Karthik fell to an astonishing one handed diving catch by Nichols at cover point. Virat was adjudged LBW which was confirmed on DRS as he challenged. India was rocked so deeply that the enterprise and exuberance of Pant and Pandya and brilliance of Jadeja (77 in 59 minutes) and Dhoni (50) fell 18 runs short. India full of tears left the scene breaking the heart of billions across the world. It was out of the world excellent bowling, smart and agile fielding that won the day for New Zealand.

239 on any day anywhere of the cricket world would sound a cake walk for team India .Rohit Sharma in this world cup alone has scored 5 centuries in earlier matches and finished on top of run getters. Virat Kohli is arguably the best batsman in world cricket. Even young Rahul was in prolific form. Then India had two very young emerging talents Pant and Pandya in the middle order. MSD and Jadeja are proven top finishers. No parise is enough for a team that can defend a target of 240 against such a batting unit. The opening burst of Henry and Boult removing Rohit, Virat, Rahul and Karthik rocked India badly. Perhaps Kohli made a mistake holding back experienced Dhoni in such a situation. He wanted the fire to be countered by fire. But it was semi final of an world event where punt appeared for the first time and Pandya was no different. 

Kiwi bowlers were not giving any free bees and fielding looked spotless. Santner turned and bounced with his left arm spin and Fergusson bowled fast and furious. Pant (32) Pandya (32) in rescue mission added 47 runs for the 5th wicket Santner removed Pant and Pandya in quick succession. India at 6/92 in the 31st over was looking down the barrel. But they still had MSD playing in his last World Cup and possibly the last ODI and very aggressive all rounder Ravindra Jadeja. The eclectic pair putting together all their experience almost changed situation for India though run rate kept compounding. Hardly any Kiwi bowlers bowled any loose delivery. But when the Indian pair launched the charge started fielding looked a little rugged. Couple of catches were dropped. 

Jadeja struck few meaty blows. Dhoni was looking like cool customer going about his task. The pair added invaluable 116 runs for the 7th wicket before Jadeja striking one blow too much was caught by Williamson of the bowling of Boult after scoring 77 in 59 deliveries. His innings included 4 boundaries and 4 over boundaries. Dhoni was smartly run out by Guptill when his mission impossible was almost anchoring to the shore. Boult, Ferguson and Henry were too good for 9, 10 and jack. India could reach 221. New Zealand sent favorite India packing for home.

There will be huge noise all over the cricket world. Many underestimated New Zealand capabilities. Did India take them lightly? Was Kohli over confident? Why the most experienced Indian batsman having average of over 50 Dhoni was held back till late? He could be the right person to come to the wicket when India was reeling at 6/92. India should have had Kuldeep Yadav playing on a wicket gripping and turning. 

Rohit and Rahul fell for their poor technique against quality fast bowling. Kohli also got an excellent delivery. In this world cup Indian middle order did not prove their strength earlier. They did not look impregnable against Afghanistan and Bangladesh even.

I would not term the outcome an upset. India was among the top favorites. Definitely bookies put a heavy tag on India. Yet one must not forget that, New Zealand is losing finalist of 2015 WC and they possess some the great batsmen and top quality bowlers. Their fielding on the day was superb. India also fought well with back to the wall. No team of the world could recover after loosing the inform top three for 5 runs by the 4th over as India did. Jaedja and Dhoni almost pulled off a historic win. Well done Jadeja and Dhoni. India lost to a better team on the day.

This writer witnessed on TV live all matches of the World Cup 2019 so far from Brisbane and Melbourne. On the day of the final at Lords will be in Kolkata. It could be a big fun watching the final gossiping over tea with Indian sports journalist friends at Kolkata press club if India was in the final. But it is no less joy for us as there is possibility of my adopted home Australia and our neighbor may appear again in WC final taking the fight of MCG to Lords.

BDST: 1042 HRS, JUL 11, 2019
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