India played New Zealand in the first semi-final match of 2019 Cricket World Cup. What followed was heartbreak and tragedy among billions of the cricket-worshiping-nation, India. The rain in the scheduled day pushed game for a reserved day, and New Zealand set the 240 runs target for India.
The target chase looked easy looking the strong batting side of India, but very few knew, maybe none, the early dismissal of the top order. The game then favored New Zealand but Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni, for most of the time kept hope alive. But soon after their dismissal, dreams shattered. And the ardent MS Dhoni died in Kolkatta due to a heart attack shortly after Dhoni’s run-out.
A cycle-shop owner in Kolkatta was watching the thrilling semi-final match on his mobile phone in his shop. Immediately after MS Dhoni got run-out, the 33-year-old, Srikanta Maity died due to a heart attack.
Sachin Ghosh, a sweet shop owner, and his mates nearby heard a loud thud from Srikanta Maity’s shop, and when they went to check, they found Maity unconscious. Srikanta Maity was rushed down to Khanakul hospital but lost his life on the arrival at the hospital.
This is the consecutive semi-final disappointment for team India after the 95 run defeat to host Australia in 2015 World Cup edition.