5 World Cup records that could be broken this year

There can certainly be no stage bigger than the ICC World Cup for records to tumble, milestones to be reset and newer heights to be scaled. While some records do look inaccessible right at this moment, others seem hardly so. As the World Cup begins in three weeks’ time, let us check out five Cup records that are likely to be broken this time.

#1 Most dismissals

Kumar Sangakkara

A prolific run-scorer with a dependant pair of hands behind the stumps, it comes as no surprise that former Australian glovesman Adam Gilchrist leads the chart for most dismissals in the big tournament. Being one of the reasons behind Australia’s dominance in the 2000s, Gilchrist notched up a staggering 52 dismissals (45 catches and 7 stumpings) in 31 matches that spanned three victorious sojourns in England, the African continent and the West Indies in 1999, 2003 and 2007 respectively.

It seems only rightful that the landmark set by a legend be broken by another modern cricketing giant. None of the playing wicket-keepers have featured anywhere close to the number of matches Gilchrist has played, which leaves Kumar Sangakkara virtually unchallenged for overhauling the record. With six more dismissals to go for equaling Gilchrist’s numbers, it seems to be only a matter of time before the Sri Lankan takes his shot at glory.

#2 Most ducks

AB de Villiers

It had taken Nathan Astle 22 matches and Ijaz Ahmed 29 matches to do what AB de Villiers has almost done in 15 matches – scoring the most number of ducks in World Cups. Beginning the tournament with 4 ducks, De Villiers may topple Astle and Ahmed from the throne with a couple more or equal their record of five with a single one.

In a list of cricketers who have scored 3 or more ducks in World Cup, De Villiers (average 51.78) and Arjuna Ranatunga (average 46.14) stand out for being the only two to have averaged more than 30. However, considering the form the South African is in and his obvious lack of keenness towards resetting that record, it may well be a hit-and-miss this time.

#3 Most hundreds

AB de Villiers

Once it had seemed that Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 6 World Cup hundreds would remain unattainable for years to come, but with AB de Villiers’s current century-smashing spree, one would not be too certain. The South African has already smacked 3 hundreds in the 15 World Cup matches that he has featured in and needs another three to equal Tendulkar’s record.

A conversion rate of 50% is sure to provide enough motivation to the man who had reset Corey Andreson’s record of fastest ODI hundred not long ago. With De Villiers being on the verge of another record too – although not a positive one, it’ll be interesting to watch which one he equals first.

Among the active cricketers, the next best in the list are Mahela Jayawardene (3) and Tillakaratne Dilshan (2), both of whom are playing their last World Cup.

#4 Most 4-wicket hauls

Shahid Afridi

With 4 four-wicket hauls in 20 matches under his belt, Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi is tied at the top of the list along with modern legends Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan. Playing in his fifth World Cup, Afridi is certainly the one to put your money on for setting a new record.

With Pakistan being grouped alongside minnows like Zimbabwe, Ireland and UAE, Afridi is sure to be provided with enough opportunities to pick up four wickets in an innings and even better his record of 2 five-wicket hauls in World Cups.

#5 Losing streaks could end

Misbah-ul-Haq (L) and MS Dhoni

Hardly anything to be amused with, Pakistan have played 5 World Cup matches against India – in 1992, 1996, 1999, 2003 and 2011 – and lost all. Further, the 2011 loss resulted in handing India the coveted trophy for only the second time in history.

Ironically, India have been defeated in all the 3 matches played against South Africa in World Cups – in 1992, 1999, 2011. Interestingly, the 2011 match that witnessed Tendulkar scoring his 99th hundred was also the only one India lost in that tournament. With India, Pakistan and South Africa placed in the same group, the World Cup looks set to provide plenty of action right from the 14th of February.