Despite hitting a valiant 50 in India’s chase of 240 runs, Dhoni was criticized for his slow innings that lumbered India with an uphill struggle to chase the 240 set by The Black Caps.

That saw them needing 25 runs from the last 10 balls at the moment Dhoni was run out by Martin Guptill with the Indians on 215-7.

Faced with a seemingly unattainable target, the Indians sensed urgency, and Dhoni and partner Bhuvneshwar Kumar pushed for a second run on the fourth ball of the penultimate over. 

In what was dubbed a ‘moment of brilliance’, Guptill collected the ball from infield and instinctively launched the ball towards the stumps, bypassing the onrushing Colin de Grandhomme anticipating the throw at the wicket.

Guptill’s instincts served him well as he hit the stumps with pinpoint accuracy to run out a helpless Dhoni by mere centimeters, leaving India short of their total by 18 runs.

The result was met with heavy hearts in India, where more or less the entire population grinds to a halt to watch matches when the team play.

In his post-match interview, current India captain Virat Kohli announced that Dhoni had not informed his teammates of any decision he had taken regarding his future career.

“No, he hasn't told us anything about his future,” Kohli said when quizzed.