Lockie Ferguson Recalls MS Dhoni’s Infamous Leave In 2019 World Cup Semi-Final

India’s most-decorated captain, MS Dhoni, played his final match for the Men in Blue on July 10, 2025. It was the semi-final of the 2019 ODI World Cup in England, where India fell short while chasing a modest target of 240 at Manchester.

After India were reduced to 92/6, Ravindra Jadeja (77 off 59) and Dhoni (50 off 72) stitched together a 116-run partnership for the seventh wicket, bringing India back into the contest. When Jadeja was dismissed on the second last ball of the 48th over, India still needed 32 runs off 13 deliveries, but Dhoni couldn’t steer the team to victory. He was run out by Martin Guptill’s direct hit in the 49th over, and India were knocked out by 18 runs.

The match is also remembered for Dhoni’s infamous leave off Lockie Ferguson’s final delivery of the 45th over. The fast bowler delivered a short and wide ball, and Dhoni, despite India needing 52 runs off 31 balls, chose not to play it. Fans on social media continue to troll and criticise the legendary wicketkeeper-batter for leaving a delivery when the required run rate was above 10.

Speaking to Crictracker about the leave, Ferguson said: "I can't remember what they were needing to chase at the time, but I knew they had to score a few runs. 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, then it's nice when a batter leaves it.

"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."

Although Dhoni has retired from international cricket, the 44-year-old remains active for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), continuing to delight fans with his trademark calm and finishing prowess.