New Zealand pacer Lockie Ferguson has talked about one of the most memorable incidents of the 2019 World Cup semi-final match when MS Dhoni left a delivery in the high-stake match at Old Trafford. Ferguson said he was surprised by the choice particularly in such a heated pursuit.
MS Dhoni’s surprising leave in the semi-final
Dhoni had contributed a calculated knock of 50 off 72 balls as India tried to accomplish 240 runs. At a point, India was 92/6 and it seemed like the game will be over soon. However, the association of Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja resuscitated the hopes, as the score moved to 208/7.
The two senior batters attempted to re-establish the innings with safety-first shots, and protect their wickets against a tight New Zealand bowling attack. Dhoni, who is famous with his calmness, left one of the deliveries of Ferguson which surprised the bowler. Jadeja was finally dismissed and Dhoni run out and India lost by 18 runs.
“I can’t remember what they were needing to chase at the time, but I knew they had to score a few runs,” Ferguson told Crictracker. “The plan was to bowl and see if MS would undercut it, and he left it. So I was surprised because, naturally, when you’re bowling, you’re trying to restrict runs.”
Lockie Ferguson on the ‘almost successful’ plan
The New Zealand fast-bowler said that his tactic narrowly failed to pay off on more than one occasion in that match. Ferguson describes how the next over resulted in a completely different result to Dhoni and how unpredictable the former India captain was.
“But I think the next over, the first ball, I tried again, and he just got it over the boundary for six. So the plan almost worked the second time as well. But it was nice to get him out that game and, of course, get across the line in the semi-final,” Ferguson recalled.
It was Dhoni, as is his wont, taking the game deep that kept this contest alive much longer than it should have. But, New Zealand did not over-attack and their conservative strategy was the key to victory in Manchester. The loss was heartbreaking and was also the end of Dhoni as an ODI player.
MS Dhoni’s legacy in crunch situations
Over the years, Dhoni had earned a reputation of playing the games till the last moment and he trusted himself to do it under tremendous pressure. Lots of teams were unable to fight this tactic, but New Zealand did not want to bowl dangerous balls. They were rewarded after they beat India in a nail biting semi-final.
To the Indian fans, the image of Dhoni walking back after being run out is one of the most heart touching pictures in cricket history. The thoughts of Ferguson can only emphasize the way even the opponents admired the composure and the sense of the game of Dhoni.
Ferguson praises Jasprit Bumrah’s workload management
And outside Dhoni, Ferguson also addressed the current debate over workload management of contemporary pacers. He used the example of India strike bowler Jasprit Bumrah as an outstanding example of how young cricketers should conduct their careers to last a long time and be productive.
“I think it’s great. I think it’s really important in this day and age. We seem to be playing a lot of cricket. Look, Jasprit Bumrah has had a tough injury last year after the Test matches in Australia. Clearly, he was bowling a lot for his country, trying to win every game,” Ferguson said.
He also stated that grueling cricket is something that wears down the body and it is important to learn how to cope with it. “It does just take its toll on the body. And I think just for it, it’s a very good example for up-and-coming fast bowlers,” he added.
The words of Dhoni echoing in the voice of Ferguson provide a perspective not only on the legendary composure of the former but also on how contemporary cricket needs to find the balance between intensity and longevity- something every pacer, including Bumrah, needs to learn.
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