The 2019 World Cup semi-final loss to New Zealand was one of the most heartbreaking moments in Indian cricket history. The team had played exceptionally well throughout the tournament, but they were undone by a rain-curtailed match and some poor decision-making in the crucial moments.
Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar has recently revealed that MS Dhoni and other players cried like kids after the loss. This is a testament to the emotional toll that the defeat took on the team.
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“It was a heartbreaking moment for all the players as India were playing excellent cricket. We won seven matches in the league phase and to bow out like that was not good,” Sanjay Bangar said on Star Sports. “Players cried like kids. MS Dhoni was crying like children. Hardik Pandya and Rishabh Pant had tears in their eyes. Such stories remain in the dressing room,” he added.
Q&A with @msdhoni
Question: Few days back Sanjay Bangar shared a tweet saying Dhoni, Rishabh and Hardik couldn’t stop their tears. Is this true? pic.twitter.com/2Q9RQXz9Zb
— Yash Jadhav (@farzi_rtist) October 26, 2023
MS Dhoni himself has admitted that it was a difficult moment for him to deal with.
“It’s difficult to control emotions when you lose close games. I keep my plans ready for every game and for me, it was the last game I played for India. I made the announcement a year later but that day, I retired. We were given some gadgets from the trainer and every time I went to him, I handed those gadgets back but he was like, ‘No, no… just keep it.’ And I thought, how should I tell him that it wasn’t needed anymore, because I didn’t want to announce then,” MS Dhoni said.
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“When you are high on emotions and the only thing you have done in the last 12-15 years is playing cricket, and then there’s no more chance of representing your country. It’s a thing with sportspersons. So, once I quit cricket, there was no way I could be representing my country again and bring that glory back. So, you are high on emotions that time,” he added.
Dhoni announced his retirement from international cricket in August 2020. However, he continues to play for the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League.
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