The Cricket World Cup is the most prestigious event in the sport of cricket. It is a quadrennial tournament that features the top international teams from around the world. The tournament has been the stage for some of the greatest moments in cricket history. In this article, we'll take a look at the 100 greatest Cricket World Cup moments.
1. The First World Cup
The very first Cricket World Cup was held in 1975. The tournament was hosted by England, and eight teams participated. The West Indies won the tournament by beating Australia in the final. The first World Cup was a huge success and set the stage for future tournaments.
2. Viv Richards' Century in the 1979 Final
The 1979 final between the West Indies and England was a memorable one. Viv Richards scored a century in the final, which helped the West Indies win their second consecutive World Cup. Richards' century is considered one of the greatest performances in Cricket World Cup history.
3. Kapil Dev's 175* in the 1983 World Cup
India's Kapil Dev played one of the most memorable innings in Cricket World Cup history in the 1983 tournament. In a match against Zimbabwe, Kapil Dev scored an unbeaten 175 runs, which helped India win the match. Kapil Dev's innings is still considered one of the greatest in ODI history.
4. The 1983 World Cup Final
The 1983 World Cup final between India and the West Indies was a watershed moment in Indian cricket history. India, considered underdogs, beat the mighty West Indies to win their first-ever World Cup. The win sparked a cricketing revolution in India and inspired a new generation of cricketers.
5. The 1987 World Cup Final
The 1987 World Cup final between Australia and England was a nail-biting affair. Australia needed 17 runs off the last over to win the match. Steve Waugh scored a crucial four off the third ball of the over, which turned the match in Australia's favor. Australia won the match by seven runs.
6. Sachin Tendulkar's 90 in the 1996 World Cup Semi-Final
Sachin Tendulkar played one of the greatest innings in Cricket World Cup history in the 1996 tournament. In a semi-final match against Sri Lanka, Tendulkar scored 90 runs off 84 balls, which helped India post a competitive total. However, India lost the match by default due to crowd disturbance.
7. The 1996 World Cup Final
The 1996 World Cup final between Sri Lanka and Australia was a historic moment for Sri Lankan cricket. Sri Lanka won the match by seven wickets, which made them the first team from Asia to win the World Cup. Aravinda de Silva's century in the final is considered one of the greatest innings in World Cup history.
