Did MS Dhoni Cry After India's 2019 World Cup Semi-Final Loss: Former Captain Answers Himself - WATCH

Forgetting Team India’s shocking defeat at the hands of New Zealand in the 2019 World Cup semi-final isn’t easy for forget for a cricket fan. A rain-curtailed affair that kept the viewers on the edge of their seats for a couple of days, only to give them a massive heartbreak. The chase of 240 turned trickier after the scorecard read 5 for 3 in 3.1 overs, further deteriorating to 92 for 6. A 116-run partnership between, MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja, for the 7^th wicket, gave a little hope to the fans but the tables turned in the last three overs with Jadeja’s dismissal followed by Dhoni’s run-out.

Greif gripped the Indian dressing as they were knocked out of the tournament. It was disappointment all over what transpired thereafter was unknown till then batting coach Sanjay Bangar revealed it a few days ago. During India’s World Cup 2023 fixture against the Blacks Caps in Dharamsala, Bangar said Dhoni and other players cried like kids after the loss.

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“It was a heartbreaking moment for all the players as India were playing excellent cricket. We won seven matches in the league phase and to bow out like that was not good,” said Bangar on Star Sports.

“Players cried like kids. MS Dhoni was crying like children. Hardik Pandya and Rishabh Pant had tears in their eyes. Such stories remain in the dressing room,” he added.

Dhoni’s reaction to Bangar’s revelation

The former Indian skipper attended an event in Bengaluru on Thursday where a fan asked him about Bangar’s revelation about players shedding tears after the semi-final loss in 2019. Dhoni said it’s hard to control emotions when a team loses close games.

“It’s difficult to control emotions when you lose close games. I keep my plans ready for every game and for me, it was the last game I played for India. I made the announcement a year later but that day, I retired.

“We were given some gadgets from the trainer and every time I went to him, I handed those gadgets back but he was like, ‘No, no… just keep it.” And I thought, how should I tell him that it wasn’t needed anymore, because I didn’t want to announce then,” Dhoni said.

“When you are high on emotions and the only thing you have done in the last 12-15 years is playing cricket, and then there’s no more chance of representing your country. It’s a thing with sportspersons.

“So, once I quit cricket, there was no way I could be representing my country again and bring that glory back. So, you are high on emotions that time,” he added.

Almost a year later, on August 15, 2020, Dhoni made a social media post to announce his retirement.

“Thanks a lot for ur love and support throughout.from 1929 hrs consider me as Retired,” he wrote on Instagram.

However, Dhoni continued playing for the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League and went on to win two titles – in 2021 and 2023 – post-retirement.