New Zealand pace bowler Lockie Ferguson remembered the all-important MS Dhoni wicket during the 2019 World Cup semifinal in Manchester. Ferguson recalled it was a surreal moment and a relief to see Dhoni’s back. However, he was India’s last hope as they were chasing a tricky target of 240 to win after Trent Boult had dismissed Ravindra Jadeja in the 48th over. However, Martin Guptill’s flat throw from behind square removed Dhoni short for 50, which also ended India’s chances as well.
The pacer told ESPN Cricinfo that Dhoni’s wicket was comforting, given how well he plays in important moments. He said, “You can say all the adjectives and superlatives you want about Dhoni. He is clutch, and he turns up during the big moments, so when you see the back of him, it gives you some comfort.”Amazing to finish that game mid-afternoon and enjoy the celebrations. It was pretty surreal at the time.”
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He further added, “I know how strong he’s with the helicopter off his pads, so I thought he was letting deliveries go to let me bowl towards him.”In the next over (49th), he was biding his time a little bit, and he hit that amazing shot just over the top of point. That was a big boundary, and he managed to get it just over, so that forced me to go closer to him and get it up under his ribs. He tried to dab it down and come back for two. Guppy (Martin Guptill) didn’t quite have the tournament that he dreamt of, but, I think, for that moment, he was more than world-class. I was so happy for him. He’s one of the great fielders, and the thing I love about Guppy is: he always seems to do something special off my bowling.”
However, MS Dhoni’s wicket was the final nail in India’s coffin as Lockie Ferguson dismissed Bhuvneshwar Kumar off the very next delivery. James Neesham then picked up Yuzvendra Chahal in the 50th over to send New Zealand into the final. The veteran pace bowler again stated that the dream start was provided by Trent Boult and Matt Henry as well.
“We felt comfortable bowling to 240 if we get some early wickets. And the way Trent and Matt started up, it was just a dream start.”The lbw that Boult got against (Virat) Kohli, the catch that Neesh (Jimmy Neesham) took with his left hand – those were moments where it felt like it was clicking for us,” Lockie Ferguson concluded.
