'It's difficult to control your emotions': MS Dhoni recalls aftermath of run-out in 2019 World Cup semi-final

MS Dhoni, the former India captain, recalled the horrific run-out he endured during India’s 2019 World Cup semi-final against New Zealand in Old Trafford, saying how difficult it was to control his emotions.

India were looking to chase down a target of 240 against the Kiwis as the semi-final entered a reserve day due to rain in Manchester. However, in the 49th over, Martin Guptill inflicted a run-out on Dhoni, who was dismissed for 50. That changed the complexion of the game, and the Black Caps eventually went onto win by 18 runs.

“It’s very difficult to control your emotions when you have lost a close game. Inside, I was planning. To me, that was the last day I played cricket for India. I announced my retirement after a year, but the fact was that day I retired,” Dhoni said while attending an event in Bengaluru.

“We are given these tracker machines and all that. I went to the trainer and I gave it back to him. He was like ‘no, no keep it’. I was like how do I tell him that I don’t need it anymore, I won’t be using it? I didn’t want to announce it at that point in time,” Dhoni added.

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Dhoni went onto say that it was difficult to move on from the fact that he would not be representing India anymore after that defeat.

“Once you are high on emotion, you know the only thing you have done in the last 12-15 yeas is playing cricket and then you realise there is no more chance of representing your country. It’s a very big thing. So many people are there, but only a few get a chance to represent their country,” said the 42-year-old.

“And sportsperson, they have that luxury. Once I quit cricket, there was no way I would be representing my country. I am an Indian citizen and all, but to bring some glory and all those things were in my mind, you are high on emotions at that time,” the Ranchi-born cricketer further added.

Dhoni would go onto announce his retirement from international cricket a year later, on 15 August, 2020, and ended his ODI career with 10,773 runs from 350 matches.

Dhoni, however, continues to lead Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL, and even guided the Yellow Brigade to their fourth title earlier this year.