'Unbelievable run-out' - Kane Williamson and Martin Guptill recall MS Dhoni's game-changing run out in 2019 World Cup semis

New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson and veteran batter Martin Guptill recalled the ICC World Cup 2019 semifinal as they talked about MS Dhoni’s crucial run out which completely changed the complexion of the game.

Dhoni looked in good touch and was all set to take India to their fourth World Cup final before Martin Guptill’s sharp throw sent him back to the pavilion and signaled the end of India’s hopes in the competition.

It clearly was a big wicket: Kane Williamson

“Unbelievable run-out from Martin Guptill for a direct hit from that distance. It clearly was a big wicket which certainly gave us a much better chance to get across the line,” said Williamson while speaking in a video released by Amazon Prime ahead of the New Zealand vs India upcoming limited-overs series.

Martin Guptill, who called it ‘one hell of a game’ said that even though Colin de Grandhomme was present at the strikers’ end, he had to get a direct hit by all possible means to run out the legendary skipper.

"Colin de Grandhomme was there but it had to be a direct hit and I think he [Dhoni] was something like that far short so if it had been taken he would have been safe so it had to be a direct hit. It was one hell of a game,” he recalled.

MS Dhoni had scored 50 runs off 72 deliveries in that knockout match and played a good supporting role to Ravindra Jadeja who went berserk at the other end. The duo added 116 runs for the seventh wicket just when India were almost blown away having been reduced to 92/6 chasing a modest 240.

After Jadeja was caught at long-off by Williamson while trying to keep up with the steep asking rate, the onus was entirely on Dhoni to get the job done.

While Dhoni did clobber Lockie Ferguson for a six, the following ball rose unexpectedly and deceived the veteran batter. He ran immediately and even completed the first run quickly.

Nonetheless, MS Dhoni decided to go for a risky second run despite some hesitation, but before he could make his ground, Guptill’s direct hit had dislodged the bails. The matter was referred to the third umpire and the replays showed that the batter was just short of the line.

Dhoni stood in disbelief when ‘Out’ was signaled on the giant screen and took the long walk back to the pavilion for the last time in international cricket as India suffered an 18-run loss to bow out of the tournament.