The Indian Cricket team squared off against New Zealand for a shot at the Cricket World Cup final, but all was not well with Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri. However, their quest was off to a shuddering start with their first three batsmen being dismissed cheaply.

As a result, there was a big discussion between captain Virat Kohli and coach Ravi Shastri regarding who to send next. The odds on favourite to be sent in was undoubtedly MS Dhoni. However, it was ultimately decided that Dinesh Karthik was sent out and Rishabh Pant deserved to be placed ahead in the pecking order at number 5.

Finally, MS Dhoni was brought in to bat at number 7 and the fans were livid, as even Dinesh Karthik was batting ahead. Unfortunately, it looks like it is all out of their hands as the wickets kept tumbling.

Sadly, India were dismissed and the Kiwis stormed into the final after a massive rain-interrupted game on Tuesday. Coming back to the Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri argument, it is now clear that the decision to sent Pant early did not pay off.

Pant was dismissed for 32 runs after he was caught by Colin de Grandhomme, off the bowling of Mitchell Santner. Meanwhile, when MS Dhoni finally turned up, he and Ravindra Jadeja tried to fight back. Jadeja posted a fighting score of 77, while Dhoni scored 50 runs, as India lost by 18 runs.

Hardik Pandya, Pant, Jadeja and Dhoni were the only players hitting double figures, while the rest were sent packing very cheaply, including skipper Virat Kohli. Now, the Men in Blue will have a long journey back to sit and ruminate on what could have been.

Meanwhile, the Black Caps will advance to the final and await the winner between Australia and England. That match promises to be an interesting one, as the hosts bid to win their first ever ICC Cricket World Cup. Meanwhile, Australia are hunting for their 6th World Cup crown.

Virat Kohli seen deep in conversation with coach, Ravi Shastri