Ferguson recalls Dhoni leaving a ball in 2019 World Cup semifinal

New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson has revisited one of the defining moments of the 2019 Cricket World Cup, saying he was surprised to see India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni leave a delivery in the closing stages of the semifinal at Old Trafford on July 9, 2019. The match, played over two days after a rain interruption, ended with New Zealand defending a target of 240 to win by 18 runs and deny India a place in the final.

Ferguson, speaking to CricTracker, described the ball that became a viral clip across social media. New Zealand had planned to bowl a short-pitched delivery outside off stump to tempt Dhoni into undercutting it onto his stumps, Ferguson said. He recalled being taken aback when Dhoni chose to leave the ball rather than play at it. Ferguson added that he tried a similar plan in the following over but Dhoni cleared the rope for six. Ferguson finished the match with one wicket for 43 runs from his 10 overs; team-mates Matt Henry and Trent Boult took three and two wickets respectively as India were bowled out for 221 in 49.3 overs.

The innings remains notable for Dhoni's role in steadying the chase. Accounts vary on exactly how dire India’s position had been...