Martin Guptill, despite his illustrious career and several monumental achievements in international cricket, is predominantly remembered for one pivotal moment – a run out that he executed during the 2019 World Cup semi-final against India. This particular event stands out not for its sheer brilliance but for the heartbreak it caused Indian cricket fans. On Wednesday, July 10, the cricket world marked the fifth anniversary of this heart-wrenching incident, reigniting discussions and emotions across various social media platforms.
Guptill’s career statistics are noteworthy; with over 13,000 international runs for New Zealand and monumental innings including a record-breaking 237 in an ODI World Cup match. Nonetheless, for many Indian cricket enthusiasts, his name evokes painful memories of that one fateful match. The 2019 World Cup semi-final saw India, led by the iconic former captain MS Dhoni, battling to secure a spot in the final. The match was finely poised, with India needing 37 runs off the last 18 balls. Dhoni was holding fort, scoring 36 off 65 deliveries, while Ravindra Jadeja, who had scored a quick 76 off 57 balls, had just been dismissed.
In this critical juncture, all hopes were pinned on Dhoni to see India through. However, an attempt to steal a quick second run proved fatal. Guptill’s lightning-fast pick-up and an accurate direct throw caught Dhoni short of his crease, thus dashing India’s hopes of reaching the final. This precise moment has since been etched in the memories of Indian cricket fans as one of the most devastating in the country’s ICC knockout history.
In the days leading up to and on the anniversary of the match, Guptill once again found himself the target of substantial backlash from Indian fans, particularly those of Dhoni. ESPNCricinfo’s social media post commemorating the semi-final sparked a flurry of emotional responses. Guptill addressed this renewed attention with a bit of weary humor, stating, “Figured out why I’m getting so much hate today.” Despite the humor, the dark side of fan emotions soon reared its ugly head as Dhoni aficionados bombarded his social media profiles with messages of indignation and unforgiveness.
Comments like “As a Thala fan, I’ll never forgive you” and “Why you run out Dhoni?” flooded Guptill’s posts, forcing him to limit comments on his older posts.
. Faced with an overwhelming amount of negativity, Guptill eventually deleted his Instagram story. Such interactions demonstrate the highly emotional and sometimes hostile nature of sports fandom, especially when a beloved national icon like Dhoni is involved.
Analyzing the match itself, it was poised on a knife-edge in the closing moments. After Jadeja’s departure in the 48th over, the onus was entirely on Dhoni to steer the innings. India required a stiff 31 runs from the last two overs. Dhoni kept hopes alive by smashing Lockie Ferguson for a six on the very first ball of the 49th over. A single dot ball later, the critical moment arrived. Dhoni, attempting a brisk second run, found himself beaten by Guptill’s immaculate fielding, thus effectively ending India’s campaign.
This incident is remembered differently in New Zealand and India. For New Zealand, it was a moment of brilliance, executed perfectly under immense pressure. For Guptill, it stands as a testament to his fielding prowess. However, for Indian fans, it remains a painful reminder of what could have been a step towards another World Cup victory.
While Guptill’s numerous achievements on the field, including record-setting runs and remarkable innings, warrant admiration, the ‘Dhoni run out’ has, for many, overshadowed these accomplishments, especially within the Indian cricket audience. This stark reminder on the anniversary underscores the powerful emotions that sports can evoke, often searing certain moments into the collective memory of fans.
In the grand tapestry of cricket history, such moments, filled with both brilliance and heartbreak, contribute to the game’s enduring drama and unending appeal. Yet, they also highlight the sometimes harsh judgment that athletes face, as Guptill experienced once again, five years after that momentous event.
