by Denzil Fernandes

London, Jul 11: The writing was on the wall. And the fall was coming sooner than later.
Over dependence on just two players to do the bulk of the scoring.
Indian cricket team’s shocking loss in the 2019 Cricket World Cup against New Zealand in the semi finals was ill timed and least expected.

After a brilliant performance in the league stages with 7 wins, 1 loss and 1 match rained off in a total of 9 matches India deservedly topped the 10 team table. Despite injuries to some players like Shikhar Dhawan and Vijay Shanker, Virat Kohli’s boys lived up to everyone’s expectations of being one of the favourites. India’s entry into the semi final was on expected lines.

Meeting New Zealand in the first semi final played in Manchester was considered to be a mere formality as far as every Indian supporter was concerned. There were reasons for this confidence with Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and K.L.Rahul among the runs while Bumrah, Chahal, Bhuvanshwar handled the bowling duties with great results.
The scene in the first semi final between India and New Zealand was
rainy and cold in Manchester.

Opting to bat first, skipper Kane Williamson was largely responsible for New Zealand to get 239runs in 50 overs with a well made 67 runs along with Ross Taylor’s 74 runs. Bhuvaneshwar had 3 wickets in his 10 overs giving away 43 runs. Despite rain stopping play at the end of 46.1 overs with New Zealand on 211 runs and then ending at 239 runs in 50 overs everything seemed tailor made for an Indian win.

In reply, India seemed in a hurry to finish the match. One could not believe one’s eyes just as Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Rahul were back in the pavilion in 3.1 overs with the scoreboard reading only 5 runs in quick time. Shrewd captaincy by Williamson with intense bowling backed by fine fielding saw Indian wickets tumbling like nine pins. The law of averages caught up with Rohit who had scored 5 centuries earlier while Rahul was guilty of offering a simple catch to wicketkeeper Lathamn.

In came Dinesh Karthik who cut a sorry figure while struggling to score 6 painstaking runs in 25 balls. The bungling by the selectors was proved in picking Karthik in place of all rounder Kedar Jadhav. Rearguard action by Pandya (32 runs in 62 balls) and Rishab Pant (32 runs in 56 balls) was not good enough till veteran and former captain Dhoni (50 runs in 72 balls) along with a brave 77 runs in 59 balls by Jadeja brought hopes for an Indian win. Jadeja hammered 4 fours and 4 sixes but fell when India needed him most. Dhoni too followed Jadeja when he was unluckily run out from a direct throw to the wicket by Guptill. Dhoni’s last outing for India in the World Cup thus ended sadly with India on the losing side. It was a

meek surrender against the kiwis who were all over in pursuit of an impressive victory.
What started in great earnest and preparation turned into an unbelievable show especially by India’s established top order batsmen. The game of cricket is a great leveller and yesterday’s hero can be today’s zero. But considering the huge experience of Rohit and Kohli one expected a better show from both especially in the semi final. Rahul flopped when India needed him most. He missed a golden chance to be India’s rising star. Karthik turned out to be out of place where Kedar Jadhav should have been there primarily in his place.

Despite a low total to overtake, the Indian batsmen clearly showed lack of application and presence of mind to cross the target. In comparison, the Black Caps meant business from the very first ball and kept the Indians under constant pressure to punch their way to the finals of the 2019 Cricket World Cup. It was a well deserved victory by New Zealand who took the risk of batting first and knocking the steam of Team India with brilliant bowling and fielding to record a stunning win by 18 runs.
New Zealand have entered a World Cup finals for the second time in a row after being beaten by Australia in the 2015 finals in Melbourne, Australia.

They have their best chance to lift the trophy for the first time when the play in the finals on coming Sunday at Lords, England. They will play the winners of the second semi finals played between holders Australia and hosts England on Thursday at Edgbaston.