Three biggest upsets in the World Cup history

The 2023 ODI World Cup is all set to be held in India later this year. Indian fans have high hopes from their team to bring back the glory in front of their home crowd. Being the hosts, India will be one of the favorites to win the trophy. Meanwhile defending champions will be looking to repeat the glory for the second consecutive time in front of the Indian crowd.

As ODI World Cup remains the biggest championship in the cricketing world, we have witnessed so many iconic moments in the history of the tournaments. Many underdog teams got a chance to play in the World Cup and they have impressed the cricketing fraternity. They have defeated champion teams to create history and mark their name in the history of the World Cup. So let’s have a look at the three biggest upsets in World Cup history.

Kenya vs Sri Lanka, 2003 World Cup

Kenya cricket team gave their best performance in the 2003 World Cup by making a place in the semi-finals of that edition. Losing their first against the hosts South Africa, Kenya went on to register a convincing against Canada followed by the famous win against Sri Lanka.

The minnows surprised the 1996 champions with a victory by 53 runs. Batting first, Kenya put a total of 210 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in their 50 overs. Wicketkeeper Kennedy Otieno was the top scorer with 60 runs off 88 balls including eight fours and two sixes.

Defending the total, Kenya amazed everyone by bowling Sri Lanka out for 157 runs in 45 overs. The main anchor of Kenya’s bowling was Thomas Odoyo, who took 5 wickets conceding just 24 runs in his 10 overs. He was awarded Player of the match for his sensational bowling performance.

Kenya then went on to win against Zimbabwe and Bangladesh and lost one match against West Indies to secure a spot in the semis. However, their World Cup campaign ended there as India defeated them by 91 runs.

Ireland vs England, 2011 World Cup

Ireland pulled off an amazing chase against England in the 15th match of the 2011 World Cup in India. Kevin O’Brien was the star for Ireland with the fastest century in World Cup history.

Batting first Bangalore, England put a big total of 327 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in their 50 overs. Kevin Pietersen (59 off 50), Jonathan Trott (92 off 92), and Ian Bell (81 off 86) powered England in the middle overs as they go beyond 300. John Mooney scalped 4 wickets for Ireland.

Chasing a big target, Ireland lost their skipper William Porterfield on the very first ball of the innings. Ireland were later reduced to 111 for 5. After that Brien took the charge and added 162 runs with Alex Cusack (47 off 58) for the sixth wicket. Brien completed his century in just 50 balls and got out after scoring 113 runs off 63 deliveries. He hit 13 fours and six sixes in his innings. John finished the match with a boundary as Ireland registered a historic victory with 3 wickets and five balls remaining.

Bangladesh vs England, 2015 World Cup

Bangladesh cricket team managed to keep all the England fans silent after registering a 15-run win to knock the Three Lions of the 2015 World Cup in Australia. Meanwhile, there was joy and celebrations all-over Bangladesh as their team made it into the quarter-finals.

Batting first in Adelaide, Bangladesh scored 275 for 7 in their 50 overs powered by the 103-knock by Mahmudullah, who became the first centurion for The Tigers in the World Cup. In his innings off 138 balls, Mahmudullah scored seven fours and two sixes. He also added 241 runs with the wicketkeeper batter Mushfiqur Rahim (89 off 77) for the fifth wicket.

Chasing the total, England went on to lose wickets at regular intervals after a good start. Opening batter Ian Bell managed to score runs from one end as he got out after scoring 63 runs off 82 balls hitting seven boundaries. After that wicketkeeper batter, Jos Buttler and Chris Woakes added 75 runs for the seventh wicket. As Buttler got out after scoring 65 off 52, Woakes remained unbeaten on 42 off 40 deliveries. England then again went on to lose regular wickets and were bowled out for 260 runs in 48.3 overs. Rubel Hossain scalped 4 wickets as Bangladesh pulled of a historic victory against England.