Cricket World Cup: Dhoni defends future in game as fans go on rampage

MS Dhoni fields questions about whether he will retire from the one-day game. Photo / Getty Images

MS Dhoni has been forced to defend his future in the game as Indian fans took to the streets to protest his side's semifinal exit from cricket's World Cup at the hands of Australia.

Dhoni's meek run out dismissal summed up the Indian chase as they fell 95 runs short at the SCG, ending their tournament defence.

The 33-year-old was run out for 65 by Glenn Maxwell who produced a beautiful throw that connected despite having just one stump to aim at.

Conversely, Dhoni looked disinterested in pushing for the run and didn't even bother to ground his bat.

Dhoni had to field questions about whether he will retire from the one-day game, after drawing a curtain on his test career during the summer.

His response was cryptic but seemed to suggest he will play on.

"I think the media should do a nice research [on whether he should retire] and take a few days," Dhoni said. "And my advice would be, whatever you decide, write the opposite and that will be the facts."

Protests were held in several Indian cities with fans in Kanpur showing their disgust by breaking televisions in the street. Security was also beefed up outside Dhoni's home in Ranchi.

While Australia's total of 328 was just below par, it was well below the 380-odd they looked to be cruising towards when centurion Steve Smith was at the crease.

The visitors fought back strongly in the middle overs of Australia's innings, claiming three wickets for 16 runs at one point.

India's chase began positively enough with Rohit Sharma (34 off 48) and Shikhar Dhawan (45 off 41) looking willing in the early overs.

Mitchell Johnson and Josh Hazlewood then combined for a devastating spell of five overs.

Johnson (2-50) dismissed Sharma and Virat Kohli before Hazlewood had Dhawan caught by Maxwell at deep extra cover.

By the 33rd over, with the required run rate 10 an over, the game petered out.

When asked if he thought Australia's total was chaseable, Dhoni said: "Yes. I knew the wicket would get slightly better in the second half.

"When we lost the toss I was a bit worried, I thought maybe the spinners wouldn't get as much purchase.

"But I felt [Ravindra] Jadeya and [Ravi] Ashwin, they bowled well and in hindsight the good thing was we got a bit of reverse swing going. I felt our fast bowlers could have done slightly better because I knew in the second half there wouldn't be as much reverse swing."

- AAP

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