India lost the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup semifinal against New Zealand due to a combination of factors and key moments during the match. Here are some of the key moments and reasons for India's loss:
New Zealand Innings:
| Key Statistic |
Value |
| Total Runs |
239/8 (50 overs) |
| Top Scorer |
Ross Taylor (74 runs off 90 balls) |
| Bowling Performances |
Bhuvneshwar Kumar (3 wickets for 43 runs in 10 overs)
Jasprit Bumrah (1 wicket for 39 runs in 10 overs)
Ravindra Jadeja (1 wicket for 34 runs in 10 overs)
|
| Wickets Taken |
Indian bowlers took 4 wickets |
Indian Innings:
| Key Statistic |
Value |
| Total Runs |
India required 240 runs to win |
| Top Scorer |
Ravindra Jadeja (77 runs off 59 balls) |
| Bowling Performances |
Matt Henry (3 wickets for 37 runs in 10 overs)
Trent Boult (2 wickets for 42 runs in 10 overs)
|
| Wickets Taken |
New Zealand's bowlers took 5 wickets |
Key Moments:
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Rain interruptions on both days affected the match, leading to a reserve day for its conclusion.
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Martin Guptill's direct hit to run out MS Dhoni was a pivotal moment.
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India's top three batsmen (Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Virat Kohli) were dismissed with just 5 runs on the board.
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The partnership between Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni provided hope for India, but the required run rate kept rising.
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India ultimately fell short by 18 runs, and New Zealand advanced to the final.
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Top-Order Collapse: One of the primary reasons for India's loss was the early collapse of their top-order batsmen. Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Virat Kohli, three of India's most dependable batsmen, were dismissed with just 5 runs on the board. This early loss of wickets put India under pressure and set the tone for the rest of the innings.
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Brilliant Bowling by New Zealand: New Zealand's bowlers, especially Matt Henry and Trent Boult, bowled exceptionally well. They exploited the early conditions and were able to take crucial wickets. Matt Henry's early breakthroughs and Boult's swing bowling made it difficult for the Indian batsmen.
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Rain Delays: Rain played a significant role in this match, causing delays on both days of the semifinal. The interruptions affected the momentum and rhythm of the game. The Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method was used to set a revised target for India, which added complexity to the chase.
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Direct Run-Out by Martin Guptill: A pivotal moment in the match was Martin Guptill's brilliant direct-hit run-out of MS Dhoni. Dhoni was known for his finishing abilities, and his dismissal put added pressure on the lower order. It also energized the New Zealand team and their supporters.
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Pressure of the Run Chase: While Ravindra Jadeja played a valiant innings, scoring 77 runs, and there was a partnership with Dhoni, the required run rate kept rising, and the pressure of the chase became increasingly challenging. New Zealand's bowlers and fielders maintained their composure under pressure.
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New Zealand's Exceptional Fielding: New Zealand's fielding was exceptional throughout the match. In addition to Guptill's run-out, they took crucial catches and saved runs, which added to the mounting pressure on India.
In summary, India's loss in the 2019 World Cup semifinal was a combination of early top-order collapse, excellent bowling and fielding by New Zealand, rain interruptions, and the pressure of a challenging run chase. New Zealand's disciplined and skillful performance in both batting and bowling played a crucial role in their victory.