'It's cheating': Fans fume over 'illegal' moment in World Cup semi-final
Indian fans have erupted after a TV graphic appeared to show an illegal move from New Zealand moments before Martin Guptill’s key runout of MS Dhoni late in their semi-final clash.
New Zealand reached their second-successive World Cup final on Wednesday in a dramatic 18-run win at Old Trafford.
Ravi Jadeja's pyrotechnics gave India a fleeting hope, but he departed with 32 required off 13 balls before Dhoni was run out for 50 from 72 deliveries to kill off their chances.
With Dhoni scrambling back for a second run, Guptill charged in from the backward square leg boundary and produced a brilliant direct hit to send the Indian keeper on his way.
However was Guptill allowed to be fielding there?
Moments before the dismissal, bowler Lachie Ferguson consulted with Trent Boult and decided to send the short fine leg fielder back to the boundary.
A graphic of the field placings then showed New Zealand with six men on the boundary, when they were only allowed five at that stage of the game.
@BCCI what's your comment on having 6 people outside the field in powerplay 3 after Dhoni hit a six in that over with 10 balls remaining. It's the guy who came from outside circle and made Dhoni a run-out which caused a hugeloss pic.twitter.com/LXd3w67lmB
— tara kiran (@tarakiran) July 10, 2019
The fielder at third man needed to come up inside the circle to avoid a no-ball, but it wasn’t clear whether he did so.
Fans were absolutely fuming when Dhoni was dismissed seconds later, believing it should have been a no-ball.
Even though you can be runout on a no-ball, some thought Dhoni wouldn’t have attempted the fateful run had Guptill not been on the boundary.
🙏🙏Watch full video plz share🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/E4wLiu1w2G
— Thiru Mani (@maniThiru093) July 10, 2019
"This is a matter of serious concern," one Twitter user said.
"If Guptill was inside the circle, there would have been a possibility that he wouldn't have been run out."
What was the umpire doing when there are Six player outside circle and as per the rules this ball should bee given as a no ball this is clear cheating with INDAIN TEAM @BCCI @ICC @cricketworldcup @narendramodi
@BCCI and @ICC should take an action on this pic.twitter.com/rBNaWyXFEy— Keval Mehta (@Keval66Keval) July 10, 2019
Six fielders outside the circle when MS Dhoni got out! Illegal delivery from NZ 😭😭❤ !! @ICC @BLACKCAPS @BCCI pic.twitter.com/EszRn38649
— VinoD SachiN (@VinothVR598) July 10, 2019
@ICC @cricketworldcup This is a matter of serious concern ! Although no balls allow tum outs but think the other way , if Guptill was inside the circle , there would have been a possibility that he woulnt have been run out and India might have won ! #IndvsNz #ICCWorldCup2019 ! pic.twitter.com/AdCNeguDa2
— Ronit1709 (@ronit1709) July 10, 2019
Issue is not the fact that there would anyway have been a run out off a no ball. Had Guptill been the fielder inside the circle Dhoni may not have gone for the 2nd run.
— Sumanth Raman (@sumanthraman) July 10, 2019
The ball before @msdhoni was run out. Martin Guptill was pushed back to fine leg. There were six fielders outside the ring and the umpires messed up big time. A simple check by the umpires would have changed the course of the match @ICC pic.twitter.com/1s3BATrdiM
— Kanishk Johri (@KanishkJohri) July 10, 2019
6 fielders outsider the ring in powerplay 3. What’s the rule @ICC @BCCI @msdhoni @imVkohli #INDvsNz #kohli #dhoni #msd pic.twitter.com/gszHLnRY8H
— nagaraj (@nagaraj883) July 10, 2019
@ICC you should tell apologies to whole indians becoz you people done a mistake when dhoni was in strike at 48.2 can you bring it back.😠😠😠 pic.twitter.com/b8meOlu9eu
— Srikanth Thota (@Srikant72780832) July 10, 2019
@mayankglt
Still the run out is valid even if there was a no ball,, but the tactics could be different from Dhoni pic.twitter.com/rEUeRlxGIl— Ankur Gupta (@Aki_Gupt) July 10, 2019
Am I the only one to see this???
Just before MSD got Run-out, six fielders were outside the circle
Don't know whether it is umpiring fault or GPS error pic.twitter.com/STTNgXDdWT— Yuvraj yadav (@Yuvrajyadav2329) July 10, 2019
Others thought skipper Kane Williamson had indeed brought the third man fielder up but the TV coverage just didn’t show it.
Unthinkable upset
The Kiwis will now face England or Australia in Sunday's showpiece at Lord's after successfully defending 8-239, their watchful approach on Tuesday vindicated following India's struggles.
Ross Taylor top-scored with 74 from 90 balls as the Black Caps added 28 runs in the remaining 3.5 overs of their innings, deferred until Wednesday morning because of persistent rain on Tuesday afternoon.
India made an abject start to their reply, losing three wickets in the space of 11 balls, including the prize scalps of Rohit and Kohli, who had contributed in excess of 1,000 runs in the group stage.
Jadeja, batting for the first time in the tournament, put on a World Cup record 116 for the seventh wicket alongside the more subdued Dhoni, who was content to defer the big-hitting responsibilities to his junior partner.
Jadeja obliged, clubbing four fours and as many sixes, before holing out to long-off off as India's hopes vanished.
with AAP
