ODI World Cup Memories: The history of cricket World Cups can be recollected through a series of defining memories. It is not always the winning team that drives the narrative. At times it’s the heartbreak, the records, retirements that leave a lasting impact. Cricketing fans hold these memories dear to them despite many editions being played out over the years.
We look at several such defining ODI World Cup memories:
# Kapil Dev lifting the 1983 World Cup trophy
The odds of India winning the 1983 World Cup was 1-66. Nobody had given the side any chance of even getting close to the trophy. India did the unthinkable beating the all-conquering West Indies in the finals. After being bowled out for 183, the Indian bowlers put on a show to remember. Kapil Dev lifting the World Cup on the Lords balcony changed Indian and world cricket forever.
#4 Imran Khan’s iconic tiger t-shirt
Pakistan was on the verge of being knocked out early in the 1992 World Cup. They found inspiration, fortune, and courage all at once to go all the way. Imran Khan, Pakistan’s talismanic skipper made no bones about what he felt about his side. Walking in for the toss, Khan wore a white t-shirt that read ‘tigers’. Khan’s Pakistan became champions knocking England out. Pakistan was given the term-cornered tigers!
#3 Sachin Tendulkar’s square cut vs Shoaib Akhtar
It was billed to be the game of the tournament in the 2003 World Cup edition. India and Pakistan clashed against each other in the last league game. Pakistan posted a competitive score of 273 batting first. They boasted a formidable bowling attack comprising Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, and Shoaib Akhtar.
Sachin Tendulkar was in good form right through the World Cup. He was India’s main man against the quality attack. Tendulkar played arguably one of his top knocks putting Pakistani bowlers to the sword. His square-cut six off Shoaib Akhtar remains one of the finest moments in World Cup history.
#2 South Africa’s tryst with knockouts
They were the form team of the 1999 World Cup. South Africa was expected to lift their maiden World Cup. They needed just one run of 4 balls to move into the finals. Lance Klusener, the player of the tournament was on strike. Allan Donald was at the non-strikers. On two back-to-back deliveries, Klusener hit the ball to mid-on and mid-off and started running.
There was zero sync between the two batters. Mark Waugh relayed the ball to Damien Fleming who passed it to Adam Gilchrist who gleefully broke down the stumps. A shattered Klusener looked lost amidst the sea of Australian jubilation.
#1 MS Dhoni’s winning six in the 2011 World Cup final
The Indian captain didn’t have the best of World Cups until the finals. In a bold call, he decided to promote himself ahead of the player of the tournament, Yuvraj Singh. MS Dhoni wanted to keep the left-right batting combination intact. He started picking up singles and twos early in his innings.
Dhoni paced his innings beautifully targeting a few bowlers. India needed 3 runs off 11 balls. Dhoni unsurprisingly was at the striker’s end. He launched Nuwan Kulasekara’s delivery for a gigantic six-over long-on. It remains India’s greatest moment of cricketing glory this century.
