Three most iconic moments in cricket World Cup history

India is all set to host the upcoming edition of the ODI World Cup in October-November 2023. The anticipation for the mega event grows with each passing day, and the teams are now preparing for it. Many moments from the competition have become unforgettable in the minds of the fans over the years. In this article, we will look at some of the most iconic moments in the history of the World Cup.

#3- Kapil Dev’s catch vs West Indies- 1983 World Cup Final

When India advanced to the World Cup finals in 1983, they defied all expectations. In the final, they faced the West Indies, who were at the peak of their powers at the time. In the second innings, Vivian Richards was batting ruthlessly when the iconic catch taken by Kapil Dev changed the match. Madan Lal pitched one short outside the off-stump, and Viv set about clobbering it behind midwicket. Viv played the ball too early, top-edged it, and it flew high into the air.

While the rest of the Indian fielders gave up on catching it, one did not. Dev, who was fielding at mid-on, started running towards the ball and made an incredible catch. Viv was dismissed, and that catch completely altered the course of the game. West Indies continued to lose wickets at regular intervals, eventually losing by 43 runs.

#2- England winning their maiden title on boundary count- 2019 World Cup

This was the most thrilling conclusion to any cricket match anyone had ever witnessed. The game had been tense throughout, but the final over was full of surprises. England needed 15 runs from the final over to win, and Ben Stokes was on strike. The first two deliveries yielded no results. Stokes then smashed the next delivery over midwicket for six. What happened next shocked everyone.

Martin Guptill swooped down and returned the ball to the wicketkeeper’s end as Stokes attempted to steal a double. The ball struck diving Stokes’ bat, and the overthrow resulted in four runs for him. The excitement didn’t stop there, as the game went to a super over, which also ended with both teams scoring the same number of runs. England eventually won based on the boundary count.

#1- Dhoni finishing off in style- 2011 World Cup final

The 2011 World Cup win against Sri Lanka at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai will forever be the best memory for Indian Cricket fans. The then-Indian skipper MS Dhoni hit the winning six for India, and commentator Ravi Shastri’s iconic words made it even more special. “MS Dhoni finishes off in style. A magnificent strike into the crowd! India lift the World Cup after 28 years! The party starts in the dressing room,” Shastri had said as Dhoni hit the winning six.

This win was even more special as Sachin Tendulkar, playing his last World Cup, finally won it on his 6th attempt. The glorious career of the master blaster would have been incomplete without a World Cup title.