10 Iconic game-changing moments in Cricket World Cup history

Had the World Cup final of 1975 at Lord’s been a one-sided affair, I guess, the evolution of this mega event might have been halted. On that eventful day at Lord’s, cricket followers witnessed the dramatic nature of one-day cricket and it all happened due to some game-changing moments.Over the years, these game-changing moments have enriched the World Cup big time. Some of them had made us cry while some of them had given us enormous amount of joy.Let us have a look at some of the unforgettable game-changing moments in the history of ICC World Cup:

#10 Imran Khan\'s decision - Pakistan v New Zealand, Semi-final, World Cup 1992

Inzamam-ul-Haq in action against New Zealand, Semi-final, Eden Park, World Cup 1992

New Zealand posted 262 for 7 in 50 overs against Pakistan in the first semi-final of World Cup 1992. Pakistan’s reply was not satisfactory enough and when Salim Malik was dismissed, they needed 123 more runs in 15 overs. Javed Miandad signalled towards the dressing room to send the left-handed batsman Wasim Akram instead of Inzamam-ul-Haq.

Wasim was a big hitter of the ball and was more experienced than the young Inzamam. Pakistan was in need of a quickfire knock and someone like Wasim Akram would have been the ideal choice.

But, the Pakistan captain Imran Khan sent Inzamam and he didn’t let his captain down. Inzamam played a swashbuckling knock of 60 from just 37 balls. That breezy knock had shifted the balance of the game towards Pakistan. The men in green went on to win the semi-final in style.

#9 Craig McDermott\'s bowling Australia v India, Group Match, World Cup 1987

Craig McDermott

India’s first match of the World Cup 1987 was against a young and inexperienced Australian side. Batting first, the Australians posted 270 for 6 in 50 overs. In reply, the Indian team was well poised at 202 for 2 with 70 more runs to get in 15 overs. Kris Srikkanth and a young Navjot Singh Sidhu were in splendid form to ensure India a victory in their opening game of the World Cup.

But the Australian team was a hard nut to crack. Allan Border brought on young Craig McDermott to bowl for a breakthrough. Immediately, McDermott bowled Sidhu and triggered a panic in the Indian batting line-up. Dilip Vengsarkar, Mohammad Azharuddin and Ravi Shastri became the victims of McDermott as six wickets fell for just 54 runs. India lost the match by just one run.

#8 Sachin Tendulkar\'s stumping India v Sri Lanka, Semi-final, World Cup 1996

Romesh Kaluwitharan stumps Sachin Tendulkar, semi-final, Kolkata, World Cup 1996

Sri Lanka qualified for the World Cup semi-final for the first time in their cricketing history. They opponent were the hot favourites India who possessed a brilliant track record against them on home soil. Batting first, Sri Lanka posted 251 for 9 in 50 overs. Despite losing Navjot Singh earlier, the Indian reply was rollicking. Sachin Tendulkar was mauling the Lankan attack ruthlessly and scripted a partnership of 90 runs for the second-wicket in no time.

Arjuna Ranatunga was searching for a breakthrough and threw the ball to Sanath Jayasuriya in the 23rd over. In the fourth ball of the over, Jayasuriya pitched one outside leg which Tendulkar tried to steer down to fine leg, but the ball hit his thigh pad and went to wicketkeeper Romesh Kaluwitharana. Tendulkar thought that the ball might have passed the keeper and left his crease for a single, but within a second Sachin realized that he was making a big mistake. In the twinkle of an eye, Kalu effected a quick stumping and Tendulkar was dismissed.

That stumping triggered a collapse – 7 wickets fell for just 22 runs. That collapse was too hard to bear for the passionate cricket fans of Kolkata. They responded violently by throwing water bottles on the field and setting fire on the seats. Match referee summoned the players in and later awarded the match to Sri Lanka.

#7 Clive Lloyd\'s decision West Indies v Pakistan, Semi-final, World Cup 1979

Colin Croft

Pakistan and West Indies met each other the semi-final of the second World Cup. On a flat track, batting first, the West Indies posted 293 for six in 60 overs. Pakistan lost Sadiq Mohammad early, but Majid Khan and Zaheer Abbas dished out an inspiring run chase by scripting a partnership of 166 runs for the second-wicket. For the next three hours Clive Lloyd was left to ponder whether his team was short of hundred more runs.

Zaheer and Majid staved off the early threat posed by Roberts and Holding and then opened out a superbly planned assault on the West Indies bowling. Just before tea, these two were cruising in such a carefree manner towards the target that Pakistan looked the likely winners.

During the break, Clive Lloyd realized that the attack was ill-directed at Zaheer and thus, he asked for the line of attack to be switched from off-stump to leg. As the game resumed after the break, Colin Croft followed Lloyd’s advice and proceeded accordingly. Zaheer went for a glance against Croft and was caught behind. Pakistan eventually collapsed to a defeat.

#6 Jonty Rhodes South Africa v Pakistan, Group Match, World Cup 1992

Jonty Rhodes running out Inzamam-ul-Haq in a spectacular fashion, Group Match, Brisbane, World Cup, 1992

Pakistan’s reply to South Africa’s 211 was steady. All of a sudden, rain visited Brisbane and an asking run rate of 4.9 in 28 overs became 8.5 in 14. As the game resumed, Inzamam-ul-Haq and Imran Khan dished out an assault to dent the Proteas attack – a partnership of 85 runs for the third-wicket came up in quick succession. Pakistan were cruising, especially Inzamam was in ominous form.

Then came the deciding moment.

In the 31st over, Inzamam attempted a single for a leg bye. Imran shouted “No” and while trying to get back to his crease, Inzamam saw Jonty Rhodes sprinting towards the stumps from deep backward point. And then, Jonty – grabbing the ball in his right hand - threw himself at the stumps with his feet off the ground to run out Inzamam in the most spectacular fashion.

The dismissal of Inzamam dented Pakistan’s wonderful momentum and they lost the match by 20 runs and were at risk of getting out of World Cup from the preliminary stages.

#5 Mike Gatting\'s wicket - England v Australia, Final, World Cup 1987

Allan Border celebrates after dismissing Mike Gatting, Final, Kolkata, World Cup 1987

After India and Pakistan’s shocking exit from the World Cup, the organizers thought that the stadium would be half-full if not deserted for the final between England and Australia. But to the surprise of all, almost 100,000 passionate cricket fans went to witness the final.

Australia won the toss and batted first. They posted 253 for 5 in 50 overs. Bill Athey and Mike Gatting scripted a threatening third-wicket partnership of 69 to dent Australia’s hopes. Both of them took calculative risks and ran as much as they could. The game was slipping away from the hands of Allan Border. A quick breakthrough was the need of the hour.

At 135 for 2, Border brought himself to bowl. Gatting faced the first ball from Border with enough circumspection. Then Border pitched one around Gatting’s off-stump who got down his haunches and executed the reverse sweep but edged it and the ball flew in the air. Australia’s wicketkeeper Greg Dyer took a magnificent catch to dismiss Gatting.

That reverse sweep by Gatting proved fatal for England and lost the match by just seven runs.

#4 Ian Chappell\'s run out Australia v West Indies, Final, World Cup 1975

Ian Chappell is run out, Final, Lord’s, World Cup 1975

Lord’s was doused in brilliant sunshine during the first World Cup final. The weather was excellent and the wicket a beauty – easy paced and of even bounce to facilitate stroke-play. Clive Lloyd won the toss and elected to bat first. The West Indies posted 291 for 8 in 60 overs.

In reply, Australia were cruising at 162 for 3 with 21 overs left to play. Ian Chappell and Doug Walters were in total command, but a young West Indian named Viv Richards came into action to change the complexion of the game.

Ian Chappell pushed the ball towards midwicket and ran for a quick single hesitantly as he saw Richards scrambling for the ball. Even though the ball went past Richards, he picked up the ball quickly, swooped, turned and fired it powerfully to Lloyd who ran out Ian. The dismissal of Ian Chappell had jolted the Australian batting line-up and they looked down and out. A gallant last-wicket stand between Lillee and Thomson revived the Australian hopes, but Thomson was run out and West Indies lifted the World Cup.

#3 Herschelle Gibbs\'s dropped catch - Australia v South Africa, Super Six, World Cup 1999

Herschelle GIbbs drops Steve Waugh’s wicket, Super Six, World Cup, 1999

It was the battle of two heavyweights of world cricket at Headingly. Australia had to beat South Africa to claim a place in the semi-finals. The South Africans were in supreme form throughout that tournament while Australia were a struggling unit.

Batting first, South Africa posted 271 for 7 in 50 overs. Australia’s reply was shaky and at 48 for 3, the Australian captain Steve Waugh walked out to bat.

While batting on 56, Steve slapped a simple catch to Herschelle Gibbs who was fielding at midwicket. Gibbs clutched on, but as he went to hurl the ball skywards in celebration, it slipped from his grasp and fell on the ground. It was perhaps the costliest of miss in the history of ICC World Cup. It was a significant game-changing moment. Steve Waugh went on to score 120 and Australia not only qualified for the semi-finals, but also won the 1999 World Cup.

#2 Wasim Akram\'s over Pakistan v England, Final, World Cup 1992

Wasim Akram celebartes after nailing Allan Lamb, Final, MCG, World Cup, 1992

Pakistan’s road to Melbourne Cricket Ground for the finals of World Cup 1992 was not a rosy one. After losing to India and South Africa, their further progress in the tournament was under threat. But Imran Khan regrouped his young team and they started to pick themselves up in the right moment.

In the final, Pakistan met England against whom they were humiliated in the preliminary stages. Imran Khan won the toss and elected to bat first. Despite a sluggish start, Pakistan were able to post 249 for 6 on the board. Pakistan’s new ball bowlers – Wasim Akram and Aqib Javed along with leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed had jolted the English batting line up. England were reeling at 69 for 4. But, Allan Lamb and Neil Fairbrother forged a 72-run partnership in 14 overs and revived the English hopes.

Imran Khan decided to throw the ball to Wasim Akram for a breakthrough. In the 35th over, Wasim Akram bowled two of the most unplayable deliveries ever bowled in the history of World Cups. He dismissed Allan lamb and Chris in successive deliveries which simply blew away England’s chances. England never recovered from the havoc created by Akram and Pakistan lifted the trophy for the first time.

#1 Kapil Dev\'s catch India v West Indies, Final, World Cup 1983

Kapil Dev is greeted by fans and team-mates after taking the catch of Viv Richards, Final, Lord’s World Cup 1983

India surpassed all the expectations when they advanced into the finals of the World Cup 1983. In the final, their opposition was the West Indies and during that time they were at the height of their powers. On a bowling friendly track at Lord’s, Clive Lloyd won the toss and invited India to bat first. India only managed to score 183 runs.

Such a total was supposed to be a cake walk for West Indies. Balwinder Singh Sandhu dismissed Gordon Greenidge early, but Desmond Haynes and Viv Richards stabilized the innings. Viv was batting in such a ruthless manner, it seemed that the game would be finished before tea.

But, then came the epic game-changing moment.

Madan Lal, pitched one short outside the off-stump and Viv set himself to clobber it behind midwicket. Viv played the ball a bit early, top-edged it and the ball went high in the air. While the rest of the Indian fielders gave up the hope of catching that, one fielder didn’t.

Kapil Dev, who was fielding at mid-on, began to run towards the ball and took an astonishing catch. Viv was dismissed and that catch completely changed the complexion of the match. West Indies continued to lose wickets at regular intervals and lost the match by 43 runs.