MS Dhoni runs out Jimmy Neesham during the fifth ODI in Wellington. (AP Photo)MS Dhoni stunned Jimmy Neesham with a freakish run-out in the fifth and final ODI Wellington on Sunday. Dhoni, who holds the reputation of being one of the safest hands behind the stumps, effected a brilliant run-out to turn the match in India’s favour.
The incident happened in the second ball of the 37th over when Kedar Jadhav’s delivery, which pitched outside off stump turned and hit the pads of Neesham. The Indian part-timer felt that he got his man and straightaway went to appeal for a leg-before.
Only MS Dhoni can pull this off.. brilliant run-out to get rid of the dangerous looking #Neesham & could have won this match for India – #Dhoni #DhoniRunout #NeeshamRunout #NzvInd #NZvsIND @BCCI @msdhoni pic.twitter.com/zKBneHs9zk
— Shashi (@ShashiManUnited) 3 February 2019
As the ball rolled behind the stumps, Neesham left his ground and tried to steal a quick single. Mitchell Santner on the other end denied the run but Neesham was already outside the crease.
Dhoni, who’s always been a game changer, quickly threw the ball at the stumps, knocking the bails down. TV replays confirmed that the Kiwi batsman was well short of his crease and was forced to walk back to the pavilion on 44. After getting the vital wicket of Neesham, India quickly picked up the final three wickets to wrap the Kiwi innings on 217.
India earned a hard-fought victory against New Zealand in the fifth and final ODI on Sunday to clinch the series with a 4-1 scoreline. After electing to bat first, India got off to a disastrous start as the visitors were reduced to 18/4 in less than 10 overs.
However, a 98-run stand for the fifth wicket between Ambati Rayudu and Vijay Shankar and a quick 45 off 22 deliveries by Hardik Pandya ensured India ended their innings with 252 on the board. Rayudu was named as Man of the Match, while Mohammed Shami bagged the Man of the Series.
