Martin Guptill produced arguably the moment of the 2019 Cricket World Cup with an absolute laser to run out MS Dhoni and secure victory for New Zealand in the first semi-final.
In what turned out to be a two-day nailbiter, Dhoni was trying to pull off an unthinkable chase before it all came undone with 10 balls remaining.
A wild swipe to the leg side saw the Indian great try to steal a second run only to be caught short of the crease thanks to Guptill’s pinpoint throw.
But eagle-eyed fans picked up a gigantic error that occurred right before the fateful ball was bowled.
Lockie Ferguson and Trent Boult took control of the field and signalled for a fielder to push back to deep fine leg moments before the fateful delivery.
The commentary team noted the duo made the moves without skipper Kane Williamson and signalled for third man to come up and fine leg to go back.
A graphic on the broadcast showed a fielder pushing back to the fine leg fence but showed the fielder at third man remaining in position.
It left viewers under the assumption New Zealand had six players on the fence — one more than is allowed at that point of the game.
Guptill’s brilliance left India reeling as they required 25 runs from nine balls and had to do it with only their tail left.
“We all know the game is a fine line in a number of ways. But that run out was significant,” Williamson said. “We’ve seen Dhoni finish games from those similar positions on a number of occasions. It was a tough surface so nothing promised but naturally to dismiss Dhoni in whatever fashion is extremely important, but for a direct hit run out very, very similar to Jadeja’s was a big moment in the game.”
TV replays of the crucial moment didn’t display the entire field so it was impossible to know the truth. But Indian fans blew up over what they saw as an oversight by the umpires.
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