Best World Cup Knocks Of All Time

The Cricket World cup has been one of the most scintillating and eye grabbing events on this planet generating large viewership and promoting the sport up to its peak. It is a privilege for players across the world to come and perform in this coveted event. Many players have played an inning of their lives and have become overnight heroes. Here’s a look down into the memory lane for the best innings played in the world cup.

1. Adam Gilchirist (149* vs. Sri Lanka)

When Gilly gets going it’s almost impossible to stop him. Same was the case when the Lankan team came out to bowl against him in the 2007 cricket World Cup final. They could do nothing but behold the spectacle of destruction and fury that was bestowed upon them. Gilly’s fiery innings powered Australia to a total of 287 in 38 overs which proved to be too much for the Sri Lankan batsmen. Ultimately Australia conquered the cup courtesy this superb knock by Gilchirist.

1. Ricky Ponting (140* vs. India)

The only thing that distinguishes good players from great players is their ability to perform well in big matches and converting 50s to big hundreds. The same feat was successfully achieved by Ricky ponting in the final of the 2003 world cup where he amassed 140* of just 121 and simply made a mockery of the Indian bowling attack which had shown some promise throughout the tournament.

Ultimately Australia won the match and the title quite convincingly thus justifying their world champion status. Ponting was awarded man of the match for this splendid knock.

1. Kapil Dev (175 vs. Zimbabwe)

Many years have passed since this knock but still it remains impinged in the hearts of cricket fans as one of the best O DI knocks ever played. The moment at which it came was simply invaluable and the way it was played was worth admiring. Dev rescued India from a miserable position of 17 for 5 to a par score of 235 and brought India home.

1. Kevin o’ Brien (114 vs. England)

World cups often get to be uninteresting in the beginning due to a string of one sided contests which spoil the much required excitement associated with them. On 2 March, 2011 the script was set for such an outcome when Ireland came out to play against a much stronger English side. England batted first and piled up 327 runs and in turn reduced Ireland to a 111 for 5. From there on everyone on earth knew that a side like Ireland didn’t have a cat’s in hell chance of pulling this off. But Kevin o’ Brien had other ideas. He came in and blew England away with his superb stroke play thus giving the crowd value for their money.

1. Andrew Symonds (143 vs. Pakistan)

In Australia’s first match of the 2003 World Cup as defending champions, they were stunned by the Pakistani fast bowling attack with Gilchrist, Hayden, Damien Martyn and Jimmy Maher back in the hut within the Power play. Ponting and Symonds rebuilt the innings and a sedate start assumed fierce proportions once Ponting departed.

Symonds took a liking to Shahid Afridi’s bowling and did not spare him in the death overs either. Pakistan never really got going and Australia were off and running.