Over the years, the World Cup has seen some of the finest actions. Be it top-class knocks or fiery bowling spells, it has always entertained the crowd. World Cup Finals has always been a pinnacle for cricket lovers, and in this article, we will see the 'Top 10 knocks played in the World Cup Finals' that are still remembered by fans.
1. MS Dhoni
MS Dhoni scored a fantastic 91* of just 79 balls against Sri Lanka in the Finals of the World Cup 2011. India was chasing 275 against Sri Lanka, and India lost three wickets till 22nd over with 114 runs on the board. Dhoni then formed a partnership with Gambhir, who scored 97, to bring back India into the game. After Gambhir got out, Dhoni stitched a 54-run partnership with Yuvraj Singh. He finished the game with a six and ended the World Cup drought for India.
2. Viv Richards
One of the most incredible batters of all time, Richards played one of the best knocks in the finals of the 1979 World Cup. In the finals, West Indies faced England, and West Indies lost four wickets for just 99 runs. Then, Viv Richards and Collis King put together a partnership of 139 runs and put West Indies in a much stronger position. Viv Richards eventually scored 138 runs off 157 balls and won Man of the Match as due to his knock, West Indies won this game.
3. Aravinda de Silva
Sri Lanka was facing Australia in the 1996 World Cup Finals. Australia set a target of 242 runs for Sri Lanka after batting first. In the chase, Sri Lanka lost their two wickets for just 23 runs and was in trouble. Then Arvinda de Silva arrived on the crease and, along with Asanka Gurusinha, stitched a partnership of 125 runs and then put a partnership of 97 runs with Arjun Ranatunga. He scored 107* in the finals and ensured Sri Lanka won this game and the final.
4. Adam Gilchrist
One of the most excellent openers in One Day Internationals, Gilchrist hit Sri Lankan bowlers in the finals of the 2007 World Cup. Australia was batting first, and Gilchrist tore apart the Lankan bowlers and smashed 149 runs in just 104 balls at a strike rate of 143.27. This knock is counted as one of the greatest attacking knocks in cricket, as he made the game one-sided. Australia won the finals and completed the hat trick of winning the World Cup.
5. Ricky Ponting
Australia was facing India in the World Cup finals in 2003. After winning the toss, Indian captain Ganguly decided to bowl first, but this decision backfired as Ponting smashed Indian bowlers all around the ground. Ponting scored 140 runs off 121 balls and stitched a 234-run partnership with Damien Martyn. Australia scored 359 runs and won the finals with a margin of 125 runs.
6. Gautam Gambhir
India was chasing 275 against Sri Lanka in the finals of 2011 World Cup. India lost two quick wickets for just 31 runs and was in a spot of bother. Gambhir then put together an 83-run partnership with Virat Kohli and brought India into the game. He then put in a 109-run partnership with Dhoni and ensured India was in a good spot. However, he missed his century by just three runs, as he got dismissed on 97 runs off 122 balls, and India won the match.
7. Ben Stokes
In the 2019 World Cup Final, England were facing New Zealand. New Zealand scored 241 runs in the first innings on a challenging batting track. Chasing this, England was in trouble after losing 4th wicket for just 86 runs. Stokes put in a 110-run partnership with Buttler and then decided to attack after Buttler's dismissal. He scored 84 runs of 98 balls, scoring 5 four and two sixes. The match went to super over, where England emerged victorious.
8. Clive Llyod
West Indies were facing Australia in the 1975 World Cup Finals. Batting first, West Indies lost their first wicket for just 12 runs and then went on to lose 3rd wicket for 50 runs. Clive Llyod then smashed Aussie bowlers as he put up a 149- run partnership with Rohan Kanhai, with Llyod, scoring 102 runs in this partnership. Llyod played a captain's knock of 102 off just 85 balls scoring 12 fours and two sixes as West Indies won the finals by 12 runs.
9. Mahela Jayawardene
Sri Lanka was facing India in the 2011 World Cup Final. Batting first, Sri Lanka scored 274 runs courtesy of a fine century from Jaywardane. Jayawardane scored 103 runs off just 88 balls at a strike rate of 117. He scored 13 fours in his knock and ensured Sri Lanka reached a respectable total of 274 runs. However, his century went in vain as Sri Lanka lost the game by six wickets.
10. Imran Khan
Pakistan was facing England in the 1992 World Cup Finals. Batting first, Pakistan lost their two wickets for just 24 runs. Imran Khan promoted himself in the batting order and stitched a 139-run partnership with Javed Miandad. Imran Khan scored 72 runs off 110 balls with five fours and 1 six. His knock made sure Pakistan didn't suffer collapse and set a competitive target of 250 runs. Pakistan went on to win the match by 22 runs and win their first World Cup.
