Since its inception in 1975, the World Cup has witnessed some of the greatest actions in the history of cricket. There have been some knocks that have caught the attention of the people and critics from all around the world and in this article, we will talk about the 'Top 10 knocks in the World Cup', which is still remembered by fans.
1. MS Dhoni
With a Captain's knock in the final, Dhoni led the way for India in the finals, scoring 91* off just 79 balls in the finals of the World Cup vs. Sri Lanka in 2011. In a chase of 275, India was in a spot of bother when they were three wickets down in the 22nd over with the score reaching 114. Dhoni then formed a decisive 109-run partnership with Gambhir and later a 54-run partnership with Yuvraj to finish things off.
2. Adam Gilchrist
Gilchrist lit the stage on fire against Sri Lanka in the finals of the 2007 World Cup. He scored 149 runs in 1st innings and completely demolished Sri Lankan bowling which possessed the likes of Vaas, Malinga, and Muralitharan. He scored 149 runs off just 104 balls at a Strike rate of 143.27. Aus won that game by 53 runs through the DLS method.
3. Ricky Ponting
Australian Captain dined on Indian bowlers scoring a majestic 140 against India in the 2003 World Cup final. After winning the toss, India decided to bowl which turned out to be a disaster for them as first Gilchrist attacked the Indian bowler with Australia reaching 100 runs in the 14th over and after that, Ponting took Indian bowlers to cleaners and smashed 140 off just 121 balls.
4. Aravinda de Silva
Chasing 242 against Australia in the 1996 World Cup final, Sri Lanka was in a spot of bother after losing two quick wickets for just 23 runs. Then arrived de Silva on crease who put a 125-run partnership with Asanka Gurusinha and then 97 runs partnership with captain Ranatunga. He protected the collapse and made sure he stayed till the end and played a quality knock of 107*.
5. Kevin O’Brien
In a match against England, Ireland was chasing 327 runs. Kevin O'Brien came at the crease in the 23rd over when Ireland lost their 4th wicket on just 106 runs, which later became 111/5 O Brien took the English bowlers on remand and scored the then-fastest century of the World Cup in just 50 balls. His knock helped Ireland to cause a major upset in the World Cup. He made 113 of 63 balls and won the man of the match.
6. Sachin Tendulkar
India was chasing 274 against arch-rivals Pakistan in the 2003 World Cup. The Pakistani bowling line-up was star-studded with Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhtar, Waqar Younis, and Shahid Afridi in the bowling line-up. India was in trouble after losing two wickets in quick succession for just 53 runs, however Tendulkar had a certain plan and made the chase look easy by scoring 98 off just 75 deliveries at a strike rate of 130.
7. AB de Villiers
In the 2015 WC, against West Indies, AB de Villiers played a master class against West Indies scoring 162 off just 66 deliveries. He created the record of fastest 150 in the World Cup. He completed his century in just 52 balls and later scored 62 off his last 14 balls, playing shots all over the park.
8. Viv Richards
Probably the greatest ODI batter of all time, Richards played a masterclass against England in the 1979 World Cup Finals. West Indies were 99/4 when Collis Kings and Viv Richards created a partnership of 139 runs and put West Indies in a stronger position. Richards eventually went on to win the man of the match for his 138 off 157 balls.
9. Andrew Strauss
England was chasing 339 against India in a match of the 2011 World Cup, where Strauss played a majestic knock of 158 off just 145 balls. He stitched a partnership with Bell and England were cruising for victory as they were 281/2 in the 43rd over needing 50 off just 44 balls, however Zaheer Khan turned things in Indian favor picking wickets of Bell and Strauss on consecutive balls, and the match ended in tie and Strauss winning man of the match.
10. Kapil Dev
In a match against Zimbabwe in the 1983 World Cup, India was in all sorts of trouble losing five wickets for just 17 runs and that's when Kapil Dev arrived on the crease. However, the score later went on to 78/7. Kapil Dev then stitched a 62-run partnership with Madan Lal and then a 126-run partnership with Kirmani to help India reach a respectable total of 266 runs. Kapil Dev scored 175 off just 138 balls in probably one of the most iconic knocks of the World Cup.
