New Zealand fast-bowler Lockie Ferguson has admitted being ‘surprised’ to see MS Dhoni leaving deliveries in the 2019 World Cup semi-final against India at Old Trafford. Dhoni scored 50 (72) in that match in the chase of 240. India were at 92/6 at one stage, and Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja’s partnership took it to 208/7. Dhoni was cautious in trying to save the wickets as he and Jadeja were the last recognised batters, but eventually it became a losing battle as when the pressure mounted in the last couple of overs, Jadeja got out and he was run out, leaving India 18 runs short. “I can’t remember what they were needing to chase at the time, but I knew they had to score a few runs,” Ferguson said about the leave, speaking to Crictracker. “The plan was to bowl and see if MS would undercut it, and he left it. So I was surprised because, naturally, when you’re bowling, you’re trying to restrict runs, then it’s nice when a batter leaves it… But I think the next over, the first ball, I tried again, and he just got it over the boundary for six. So the plan almost worked the second time as well. But it was nice to get him out that game and, of course, get across the line in the semi-final,” he added. It was Dhoni’s style to take the game deep and he could do that several times in crunch situations because he was so successful with it. However, New Zealand were smarter and kept the pressure on instead of luring him and bowling risky wicket-taking deliveries as well. It ended up as Dhoni’s last ODI match. Bumrah a great example: Ferguson Ferguson also gave his opinion on the workload management debate around Jasprit Bumrah, calling it a ‘very good example’ for upcoming pacers. “I think it’s great. I think it’s really important in this day and age. We seem to be playing a lot of cricket. Look, Jasprit Bumrah has had a tough injury last year after the Test matches in Australia. Clearly, he was bowling a lot for his country, trying to win every game for his country. But it does just take its toll on the body. And I think just for it, it’s a very good example for up-and-coming fast bowlers,” he added.