Three wickets, three runs: Indian batsmen in shock semi-final meltdown

India’s Cricket World Cup dreams came crashing down as star batsmen Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul were out for just three runs against New Zealand on Wednesday.

Averaging well over 150 combined runs in the tournament, the batsmen all fell early in India’s chase of the Black Caps’ 8-239.

Rohit was the first to go when he edged a Matt Henry ball back to wicketkeeper Tom Latham.

A far more dramatic dismissal would take place the following over.

New Zealand star Trent Boult trapped Kohli on the pads and umpire Richard Illingworth raised his finger almost immediately – the all-conquering Indian skipper was gone for one.

The review in hope came but replays showed Kohli was plumb.

The early wicket extended the 30-year-old’s poor form in World Cup semi-finals, having previously scored nine in 2011 before a one-run effort against Australia in 2015.

It was also the first time Rohit and Kohli had been dismissed for single figures in the same innings since the 2017 Champions Trophy final.

Opener KL Rahul followed Kohli back to the dressing room just three balls later, falling in the same fashion as Rohit.

Rahul’s dismissal confirmed an unprecedented first in ODI cricket as India’s top three became the first ever to be out for one run apiece.

The salvage mission was left to late addition Rishabh Pant, an injury replacement in his fourth match at the tournament, and veteran Dinesh Karthik.

While many fans anticipated an MS Dhoni masterclass could yet save the day for India, they were made to wait.

Karthik fell to a stunning catch by Jimmy Neesham for just six runs, reducing India to 4-24 off 10 overs.

Dhoni stayed seated, however, as Hardik Pandya earned a promotion up the order in place of the 38-year-old veteran.