India fell 18 runs short in the 2019 World Cup semifinal, losing 221/7 to New Zealand’s 239/8 at Lord’s.
The rain‑jammed 47th over turned the match into a chess game when Martin Guptill ran out MS Dhoni, a strike that rattled the Indian camp. Bhuvneshwar Kumar snared three wickets, but the pressure of a two‑day storm‑soaked day left the hosts reeling.
Kohli told JioStar that the loss was a “jolt” that left him distraught and mentally raw for months. He echoed Bhuvneshwar’s words, calling the 2019 defeat “heartbreaking” and admitting it was “too tough to swallow.”
The 2023 final loss to Australia, 240/6 to 252/4, echoed the 2016 IPL heartbreak in Kohli’s mind, illustrating how a single match can haunt a career. He compared the 2016 flashbacks to those from the World Cup final, noting that the memory lingers until a new victory breaks the cycle.
Despite the emotional weight, Kohli vows to finish his World Cup journey in 2027, stating he will keep his focus on future ICC tournaments and that the 2027 edition will be his last.
India’s next challenge is the ODI opener against West Indies on June 10, a stage where Kohli hopes to silence the ghosts of past defeats.