Dhoni cryptic when quizzed on ODI future

MS Dhoni has been forced to fend off questions about his future in the game as Indian fans took to the streets to protest his side's semi-final exit from the World Cup at the hands of Australia.

Dhoni's dismissal ended any slim hopes of an Indian comeback in their run 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 picked up the ball at midwicket and produced a beautiful throw that hit the one stump he had to aim at.

Dhoni didn't push hard in trying to complete the run and didn't ground his bat, caught short by such a distance umpire Kumar Dharmasena gave the skipper out without calling for the third umpire.

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Dhoni is caught short by Glenn Maxwell // Getty

After the match, Dhoni fielded questions about whether he will retire from the one-day game, having drawn 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."

Highlights of Australia's win over India

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

India's chase of Australia's 7-328 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 and by the 33rd over, the required run rate was ten an over.

Rather than aggressively attack the total, Ajinkya Rahane (44 off 68) and Dhoni (65 from 65) hit just five fours and two sixes between them as India exited on the back of their first loss of the tournament.

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Dhoni trudges off the Sydney Cricket Ground // Getty

They went into the World Cup horribly out of form, failing to win a game in the Commonwealth Bank Test Series or the Carlton Mid ODI Tri-Series during the Australian summer.

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) Jadeja 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."