Nail-biting finishes, huge upsets, a flood of mixed emotions – the cricket World Cup has witnessed some of the finest and most heartbreaking moments in the game’s history. It is one of the most viewed sporting events worldwide.
For a cricketer, there is no trophy bigger than World Cup.
“It’s like winning the World Cup. It’s a dream come true. The West Indies are our idols, and to beat an idol is a great thing,” said Kenyan captain Maurice Odumbe after they defeated West Indies causing a major upset in 1996 World Cup.
When the cricket giants bow out from this prestigious tournament with defeat at the hands of a minnow, it comes out as a serious blow to the players.
Kenya’s win against West Indies (1996 World Cup, group stage)
Minnows Kenya stunned two-time champions West Indies by registering a historic 73-run victory in 1996 World Cup. This was Kenya’s first ever World Cup. The two teams met for Group A fixture in Pune and the analysts thought that it would be a cakewalk for West Indies.
Kenya were put to bat first and were bundled out for 166. What followed was a masterclass in bowling from Kenyan captain Maurice Odumbe.
The skipper took a three-fer and was declared as man of the match. West Indies got all-out for 93 in what was called as one of the biggest World Cup upsets at that time.
Zimbabwe’s win against Australia (1983 World Cup, group stage)
Beating Australia in 1983 World Cup must have felt awfully good as Zimbabwean players. Zimbabwe were playing their first-ever World Cup, and there weren’t many expectations for them.
Zimbabwe were facing an Aussie bowling attack that boasted Dennis Lillee, Jeff Thompson and Geoff Lawson. Lillee and Thompson were in the twilight of their careers, but you would never dare underestimate the abilities of two of the greatest pacers of their generation.
Zimbabwean captain Duncan Fletcher led from front, and the Africans put on a decent total of 6-239. Fletcher made an 84-ball 64 not out after the team was found struggling at 5-94.
Aussie openers Graeme Wood and Kepler Wessels made a 61-run first-wicket partnership after Duncan Fletcher dismissed Wood. Zimbabwe’s Captain Fantastic Duncan
Fletcher went on a rampage and took Aussie middle order on a roll.
Australia finished 13 runs short at 7-226. Zimbabwe wrote their name in World Cup folklore when they clubbed Australia in 1983 Prudential World Cup in their first-ever international match.
Ireland’s win against Pakistan (2007 World Cup, group stage)
Ireland pulled off one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history when they went on to defeat Pakistan by three wickets in 2007 ICC World Cup. The match was played on a green Kingston track assisting the pacers. Ireland elected to field first and their bowlers did not take long to get going. Pacer Dave Langford-Smith struck the first wound as he dismissed Mohammad Hafeez in the first over itself. Pakistan were bundled out for a meagre 132.
The Pakistanis gave a befitting reply when they came on to bowl, dismissing Ireland’s first couple of wickets under 15. Irish left-handed wicketkeeper-batsman Niall O’Brien steadied the ship and made a fighting 72 in difficult conditions.
Iftikhar Anjum struck twice in the same over and Ireland found themselves on 7-113. With no twists left in the tail, captain Trent Johnson hit the winning runs. He smacked Azhar Mahmood for a six over long-on and Irish players invaded the ground as fast they could. It could not have gotten any better, with Ireland knocking Pakistan out of the World Cup on St Patricks Day.
This was a massive humiliation for the men in green, and things got even worse for Pakistan that night when coach Bob Woolmer was found dead in his hotel room.
Bangladesh’s win against India (2007 World Cup, group stage)
On the day Pakistan got knocked out of 2007 ICC World Cup Bangladesh caused a huge upset by defeating India by five wickets. This was the tournament opener for both teams.
Rahul Dravid’s decision to bat first misfired as India got all out for 191. Mashrafe Mortaza caused Indian batsmen the most trouble as he scalped four wickets for 38. Half-centuries from Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan handed Bangladesh a convincing victory, and Mashrafe Mortaza was awarded man of the match for his amazing spell.
This match set the birth of a rivalry between the two cricketing teams. India were eventually knocked out of the tournament, with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh reaching the second round of Group B.
India’s win against West Indies (1983 World Cup final)
Arguably the biggest upset of them all – 25 June 1983, Indian cricket changed forever. Kapil Dev’s men trumped two-time champions to bag the first World Cup
trophy in India’s name.
The West Indies were well and truly the giants of cricket back then. Their captain, Clive Lloyd, won the toss in the final and elected to field first. The
decision instantly rewarded when Sunil Gavaskar fell to Andy Roberts, a huge wicket.
After that, Kris Srikkanth joined hands with Mohinder Amarnath for a well-made 57-run partnership before Srikkanth was caught leg before wicket to Malcolm Marshall. Kapil Dev’s men were up against the magical quartet of Joel Garner, Andy Roberts, Malcolm Marshall and Michael Holding, the bowling attack
that terrorised a whole generation.
Indian wickets kept tumbling, and when Kapil Dev departed for 15 their bad dream had come true. Useful cameos from the tail-enders gave India a glimmer of hope as they went all-out for 183.
In reply Indian bowlers struck right away. Balwinder Singh Sandhu cleaned up Gordon Greenidge. The Indian players started to dream. Madan Lal soon joined the party as he picked the crucial wickets of Sir Vivian Richards and Desmond Haynes.
The West Indies lost wickets at regular intervals and never quite got hold of the Indian bowling attack.
Mohinder Amarnath hit the final nail in the coffin as he got the last wicket of Michael Holding. Indian captain Kapil Dev lifted the World Cup trophy for the first time. No-one could quite believe what his men had done to this star-studded West Indies team.
Peter Warrington
Guest
It was huge upset, but then not. THe windies weren't redhot that series, India beat them early, easily. Australia ran them close. Australia beat India BY 162. And got flogged by India. It was a pretty weak World CUP, REALLY. ANYBODY'S. NOBODY'S.
Neel
Roar Guru
I would say the Irish beating the Pakistanis in 2007 and Kenyans beating the Windies in 1996. Ireland one ranks number one, because I don’t reckon anybody would have expected that and they knocked Pakistan out of the tournament. That day was weird though Gourav. India losing to Bangladesh and then the Irish trumping Pakistan. The Windies loss was huge as I reckon till that moment, I don’t think many associate or maybe no associate nation ever defeated a full member Test nation.
Gourav Pilania
Roar Rookie
Iftikhar Anjum's back-to-back wickets gave the game a massive twist. That Kingston's track was a nightmare for the batsmen. Kudos to the Irish batting lineup for scruffing that game out.
Gourav Pilania
Roar Rookie
I didn't know about the story either. Neil, what would you rank as the biggest upset of all time?
Gourav Pilania
Roar Rookie
Valid point. That was such a dark period considering so many match-fixing scandals broke out.
Neel
Roar Guru
Gee, I never heard that story before. Wow, that’s a really interesting story. When you put in that context, yes it was one of the bigger upsets. Biggest of upset of all time? I am not too sure but, what would you rank as the biggest upset of all time?
Gourav Pilania
Roar Rookie
True that. What India pulled off in 1983 World Cup was just remarkable in every sense.
dat
Roar Rookie
It was said to be the biggest disappointment of Garner’s career, others like Viv,roberts have also said, if they could go back in time and changed one thing it would have been the result of that match.Apparently Lloyd after the match presentation wanted to resign as capt and it took the board president Allan Rae and an extra day of reconsideration to change his decision. When you have that much impact on a team jam – packed with all time greats,i think an argument can be made for it being one of the biggest upsets in cricket, especially because it was mentioned in an interview that 1983 wc was supposed to be a mere stopover for some players in the Indian squad picked to play the World Cup. They were on their way to the USA for a bunch of friendly matches, anticipating an early exit from the tournament.
Aussie D
Guest
Unfortunately a few of these "upsets" have an asterisk next to them due to the spectre of match fixing, which takes something away from some of the great underdog upsets.
Brian
Guest
Sure but Australia were a good side. Losing easily to Kenya signalled the lack of any batting if Lara failed.
Neel
Roar Guru
I always thought that the Windies era of dominance ended with Australia beating them in their own backyard in 1995. However, that Kenya victory over the Windies in 1996 was huge.
Brian
Guest
Kenya beating the West Indies in 1996 was really the end of the West Indies dominance. Kenya over Sri Lanka in 2003 was also big considering Sri Lanka had a good side that made the semis. Irealnd also beat England in 2011
Neel
Roar Guru
Interesting list and congrats on your first article Gourav but I don’t know whether you would put that India’s 1983 World Cup victory as arguably the biggest upset of them all, mate. Kenya’s victories over Sri Lanka in 03 and the West Indies in 03 were huge upsets as well. Also, Bangladesh’s two victories over England in 2011 & 2015 were big upsets in my opinion. Two more upsets that I can remember are, Zimbabwe’s upsets over India and South Africa in the 1999 World Cup along with Bangladesh beating Pakistan in that World Cup were massive upsets. The greatest upset in my opinion, was the one Ireland pulled off against Pakistan in ‘07. That day was quite weird. My father and I watched India get beaten by a young Bangladeshi team who outplayed India in every aspect of the game. My Dad, being an Indian supporter, swore at the television, and wished he never woke up early to watch that game. Then I switched the channel and saw Pakistan get bundled out for a small total of 132 and Ireland chased it down with three wickets to spare. To me, that Ireland victory was the greatest upset in World Cup history. I don’t think anyone would have seen that coming.