Published on October 21st, 2023

Over the years, the Cricket World Cup has etched a tapestry of unforgettable ODI World Cup moments onto the canvas of cricket history.

It’s no easy task to distill these countless memories into a definitive top 10, each one a testament to the fine line between success and heartbreak.

While some highlights are inextricably linked to specific individuals, the honorable mentions serve as a reminder of those who came tantalizingly close to making the final cut.

In this journey through cricket’s annals, we find ourselves standing on the cusp of the 2023 World Cup.

As we look forward to the excitement it promises, we also reflect on the brilliance that the tournament has witnessed in the past.

Among the troves of memorable moments, we’ve carefully curated a list of the top 10 that have left an indelible mark on the cricketing world.

Let’s revisit these iconic instances that have defined the ODI World Cup and relive the magic they brought to the pitch.

Top Unforgettable World Cup Moments

1. The 175-Run Stand Kapil Dev Made For India Against Zimbabwe In 1983

In the 1983 match against Zimbabwe at Tunbridge Wells, Indian batsman Kapil Dev delivered a remarkable performance.

Facing a dire situation with his team at 9-4 and later 78-7, Kapil Dev’s heroic effort led India to a total of 266-8.

He scored an astounding 175 not out from just 138 balls, with the next highest-scoring batsman contributing only 24.

India’s bowlers then effectively dismissed Zimbabwe, restricting them to a total of 235.

Kapil Dev’s extraordinary innings played a pivotal role in India’s victory that day.

2. Martin Guptill’s Record Inning In 2015

In the 2015 Cricket World Cup quarterfinal match between New Zealand and the West Indies, Martin Guptill achieved a historic feat.

He scored an extraordinary 237 not out, setting a new record for the highest individual score in a World Cup match.

What made his innings even more remarkable was his incredible acceleration towards the end.

In the final 52 deliveries he faced, Guptill managed to amass an astonishing 137 runs.

This late surge of runs not only propelled his team to a formidable total but also solidified his place in the record books as one of the most memorable and dominant performances in the history of the Cricket World Cup.

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3. Herschelle Gibbs Dropped A Catch In 1999 And Six Sixes In 2007

During a Super Six match in 1999 between Australia and South Africa, an unusual event unfolded.

Herschelle Gibbs dropped a crucial catch of Steve Waugh, leading to Waugh’s famous comment, “How does it feel to have lost the World Cup?” Waugh went on to score 120 runs, and Australia won the match with two balls to spare.

Gibbs believed the catch should have counted.

In another remarkable cricketing achievement, Gibbs made history during a 2007 group game by hitting six consecutive sixes in a single over.

This exceptional display brightened a day delayed by rain, with a short boundary at Warner Park likely aiding his feat.

South Africa managed to post 353-4 in a 40-over match.

Jacques Kallis contributed an unbeaten hundred, but Gibbs’ six sixes were the standout moment as he scored 72 runs from 40 balls.

4. Kapil Dev’s Superb Catch In 1983

In the 1983 Cricket World Cup final, the dominant West Indies were on the path to their third World Cup victory until Viv Richards made an uncharacteristic mistake.

Kapil Dev, fielding at mid-on, had to sprint back and take a catch over his shoulder after Richards mistimed a shot.

Kapil Dev’s exceptional catch triggered a collapse in the West Indies’ innings, ultimately leading to India’s historic World Cup win.

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5. South Africa Suffered Due To The Rain In 1992 And 2003

South Africa’s history in World Cups has been marred by unfortunate weather-related incidents. In the 1992 tournament, adverse weather conditions denied them a chance to reach the final.

They were well on course to defeat England in Sydney but, due to play delays, were left with an impossible target of 21 runs from just one ball, as per the Duckworth-Lewis method.

A similar situation unfolded in the 2003 World Cup when South Africa, the hosts, needed to beat Sri Lanka to advance to the Super Six stage.

Mark Boucher hit a crucial six off Muttiah Muralitharan, seemingly putting them ahead of the required target.

However, rain interruptions created confusion, and they had only scored 229 runs, which was the par score as per the Duckworth-Lewis method.

Boucher, believing they had done enough, scored no runs of the next delivery.

The officials then took the players off the field, crushing South Africa’s hopes of victory as match was declared tied.

6. Ireland Surprises England In 2011 Thanks To Kevin O’Brien

Kevin O’Brien’s extraordinary innings against England in the 2011 World Cup seemed poised to lead Ireland to an improbable victory.

Coming in at 106-4 while chasing England’s formidable 327-8 in a Group B match, O’Brien showcased a stunning display of power hitting.

He scored a remarkable 113 runs from just 63 deliveries, including 13 fours and six sixes.

O’Brien’s century, the fastest in the tournament’s history at that time, came in just 50 balls with a shot to deep square leg, leaving England with no answers to his aggressive batting.

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7. The 1996 Semi-Final And Sachin Tendulkar

In a match between India and Sri Lanka in Kolkata, India appeared to be on the path to victory until Sanath Jayasuriya’s stumping dismissed Sachin Tendulkar.

Subsequently, India suffered a dramatic collapse, losing seven wickets for just 22 runs.

Frustrated fans resorted to throwing objects onto the pitch and setting chairs on fire.

The chaos led to the match being stopped, and ultimately, Sri Lanka was awarded the victory.

8. Australia Beating South Africa Against The Odds In 1999

In the 1999 World Cup semifinal at Edgbaston, Australia and South Africa produced an unforgettable tie.

Both teams were bowled out for 213 runs, making it a closely contested match.

South Africa’s chase had been stalled by Shane Warne’s brilliance, but in the final overs, Lance Klusener’s explosive hitting revived their hopes.

Needing just nine runs from the penultimate over with only Allan Donald as his partner, Klusener smashed the first two deliveries to the boundary.

However, a mix-up led to both batsmen ending up at the same end, resulting in Donald’s run-out on the fourth ball.

South Africa fell short, needing just one run to win from the remaining over.

This tie allowed Australia to advance to the final due to their superior performance in the Super Sixes, where they defeated South Africa.

Australia went on to win the championship by defeating Pakistan in the final.

9. Sachin Tendulkar Was Carried Throughout Mumbai Stadium In 2011

Sachin Tendulkar’s World Cup journey came to a storybook conclusion as he retired a champion on his home ground.

In his sixth and final World Cup tournament, India triumphed over Sri Lanka’s total of 274-6 with 10 balls to spare.

Despite only contributing 18 runs with the bat, Tendulkar remained the focal point of the celebrations.

During the victory lap at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, his home ground, the cricketing legend was carried by his teammates.

Virat Kohli, speaking through Cricket Country, beautifully captured the significance of the moment, stating, “Tendulkar has carried the weight of the nation for 21 years.

We need to start carrying him around.” Tendulkar’s remarkable World Cup career is highlighted by his record of 2,278 runs, the highest ever in World Cup history.

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10. The Drama Of The 2019 World Cup final

The 2019 World Cup final is etched in history as the most dramatic cricketing showdown.

England and New Zealand clashed at the iconic Lord’s, and after a tied match followed by an equally astonishing tied Super Over, England clinched their first World Cup trophy by a minuscule margin – the number of boundaries scored.

In a grueling encounter, a pivotal moment occurred when a deflection off Ben Stokes’ bat went to the boundary.

The decision to award this boundary, and subsequently, the outcome of the tournament based on total boundaries, left New Zealand fans disheartened.

Despite the heartbreak, Kane Williamson, New Zealand’s captain, remained a picture of grace and sportsmanship throughout the contest.

Feature Image Source: Patrick Case

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