India added just 39 runs in final five overs as they finished 306 for 5 in 50 overs chasing 338.
India's unbeaten run at ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 ended on Sunday as they lost to England by 31 runs. However, it was not the defeat but the manner of defeat that left fans unhappy.
India needed 104 runs in the final 10 overs. India had Hardik Pandya and MS Dhoni at the crease with Kedar Jadhav to come. However, Pandya tried hard but did not manage to get the monetum going. Pandya finally fell in the 45th over.
Kedar Jadhav joined Dhoni in the middle as India needed 71 runs in last 5 overs. However, there were hardly any big shots in the final over. It seemed that there was not much attempt to go for the target. India added just 39 runs in the final 5 overs (with 12 of them coming in the final over).
This 'lack of intent' did not go down well with many fans on social media.
DNA's full coverage:
Why did MS Dhoni-Kedar Jadhav play like that? Rohit Sharma explains reason behind slow batting
ENG vs IND World Cup 2019: Virat Kohli lists reasons for India's loss against England
1. MS Dhoni-Kedar Jadhav leave many baffled
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Many, including Sourav Ganguly and Nesser Hussain, were unable to understand Team India's approach in the final overs.
dhoni plays a dot
— Kaizer (@AjaySasthry) June 30, 2019
dada on air: i dont have explanation for that
Nasser Hussain on commentary about MS Dhoni's and Kedar Jadhav's batting - "I am completely baffled by this" #ENGvIND #CWC19
— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) June 30, 2019
Well as England bowled in last 10-12 overs, India’s lack of urgency and strikepower towards made it an anticlimactic end. May have still lost but would have been better fight. Fizzled out after Pandya’s dismissal. Dhoni disappointing, unable to press on soon enough
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) June 30, 2019
Not sure what Kedar and Dhoni trying to do here. Its not about winning but its about showing the intent to win....
— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) June 30, 2019
Kohli always defends Dhoni by saying that Dhoni knows what is required..... Does he know what is required now?
— Gappistan Radio (@GappistanRadio) June 30, 2019
Has Dhoni given up on his ability? Is it time?#INDvENG
— Gabbbar (@GabbbarSingh) June 30, 2019
2. Twitter reacts with humor
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Some fans expressed their frustration over the chase via jokes and memes.
This is not the first time we’ve seen MS Dhoni play like this. And until someone doesn’t hold him accountable, it won’t be the last. #ENGvIND #CWC19
— Raunak Kapoor (@RaunakRK) June 30, 2019
Dhoni. Wat a finisher!! Just finished Pakistan's chances in World Cup. Legend
— Vipul Goyal (@HumorouslyVipul) June 30, 2019
Dhoni and Jadhav to each other#pehleaap #INDvENG #indiavsEngland pic.twitter.com/J22R8mJPHt
— Kevin D'Souza (@Kevin_And_Earth) June 30, 2019
MS Dhoni shouldn’t have retired from test cricket so early. He is still capable of playing a decent test knock. #INDvENG
— Pakchikpak Raja Babu (@HaramiParindey) June 30, 2019
3. 'Lack of intent' invites anger
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However, there were many who directly expressed their anger. Many fans, from India and Pakistan, questioned the 'lack of intent' by India specially MS Dhoni and Kedar Jadhav.
Disgraceful batting from Dhoni & Jadhav towards the end of the match. Only taking singles. Intentions were clear from the start. #CWC19 #ENGvIND
— Shuj (@Chocmilksheikh1) June 30, 2019
It is disgusting to see no intention to win from MS Dhoni and team at the end of the game, it looks more than fixed, shame team India #INDvENG
— Ijaz Ahsan (@IjazAhsan1) June 30, 2019
I often see this comment from across the border about how you don't know the value of Dhoni because you have him and we don't.
— Alagappan V (@IndianMourinho) June 30, 2019
Well, Pakistan, you are having him now and how does it feel? Exactly.
Can now understand why Indians get upset at Dhoni
— Ahsan (@ahsanzawar) June 30, 2019
