On This Day in 2019: MS Dhoni's Run-Out Ends India's World Cup 2019 Dream | WATCH

Five year ago today, India was eliminated from the 2019 Cricket World Cup after a heartbreaking 18-run defeat to New Zealand in the first semifinal, marked by a critical run-out of MS Dhoni. The match took place on July 9, 2019, at Old Trafford in Manchester, but due to rain, the match resumed on the reserved day, July 10.

After Kane Williamson won the toss and chose to bat, Indian bowlers made early inroads before rain interrupted play, suspending it for the day. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah delivered incisive spells, challenging the New Zealand batsmen.

Henry Nicholls and Kane Williamson stabilized the innings with a 68-run partnership before Nicholls was dismissed by Ravindra Jadeja. Williamson, who scored 67, pushed New Zealand’s total past 100. When play resumed, New Zealand was 211/5. Taylor was run out after adding just seven runs, and Kumar struck again, dismissing Tom Latham and Matt Henry. New Zealand was eventually restricted to 239/8.

In their chase of 240, India struggled early, falling to 92/6. A remarkable 116-run partnership between MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja, the highest ever for the seventh wicket in World Cup history, gave India hope. Despite Jadeja’s valiant 77 off 59 balls, India was all out for 221 in 49.3 overs.

New Zealand’s victory secured them a second consecutive World Cup final appearance. The match remained in the balance until Martin Guptill’s direct hit ran out Dhoni, sealing the game. India’s early collapse, exacerbated by tight bowling from Matt Henry and Trent Boult, proved costly. Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya briefly revived hopes, but Jadeja’s dismissal and Dhoni’s run-out in the 49th over ended India’s chase.

The previous day, Kane Williamson’s fourth fifty-plus score of the tournament, along with Ross Taylor’s contributions, set a target that initially seemed within reach for India’s formidable batting lineup.