I keep telling myself why didn’t I dive: MS Dhoni on World Cup semi-final run-out

On any other day, he would've comfortably made it to the crease. However, Martin Guptill had other ideas.

The heart of million Indian fans stopped on July 9 when MS Dhoni got run-out in the crunch moments of the World Cup semi-final against New Zealand last year. Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja had brought the game within India’s grasp with some amazing batting and the former was backing himself to get the runs even after his partner got out. But, it wasn’t to be. Martin Guptill’s miraculous throw ended all of India’s hopes of winning yet another World Cup and a dejected Dhoni walked back to the pavilion with a grim look on his face.

India needed 31 runs off the last two overs while chasing 240 in the semi-final against the Kiwis with all the onus on MS Dhoni. Kane Williamson opted to go with the extra pace of Lockie Ferguson and took the gamble of keeping James Neesham for the final over. The veteran Indian wicketkeeper-batsman started the over with a huge six over deep backward point to break the game wide open.

But off the third delivery of the over, MS Dhoni backed himself to get two runs. On any other day, he would’ve comfortably made it to the crease. However, Martin Guptill had other ideas. He came running to collect the ball and affected the direct hit to leave India’s best finisher two inches short of his crease.

MS Dhoni’s regret

The man himself was stunned and the pain of the loss is still there for MS Dhoni even after so many days. On being asked by India Today Consulting Editor Boria Majumdar about the dismissal, Dhoni regretted not diving to get into the crease. “I keep telling myself, why didn’t I dive. Those two inches I keep telling myself, ‘MS Dhoni, you should have dived,” Dhoni told Majumdar.

Ever since that game, the 38-year-old is on a sabbatical from the game and not many are aware of his future plans. There have been many speculations about his retirement but the man himself hasn’t spoken about it yet. Recently, India head coach Ravi Shastri confirmed that MS Dhoni may retire from the ODIs soon but continue playing the shortest format of the game.