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The ICC Cricket World Cup, the platform where champions are born, has given us memories to savour as well as heart-breaking moments to mourn. It is where a player can turn into an overnight hero, and become immortal in the eyes of cricket lovers.
Several legends of the game have played miraculous innings in various World Cups, and their names have been written with gold letters in the history books. They have played innings that have turned games on their heads, and have changed the course of history.
The mega-event is here again, and the ICC World Cup 2019 promises to be another blockbuster. With just a few months left for the action to start, let's turn back the clock and remember four of the greatest World Cup innings of all time.
(The list is arranged in no particular order).
# Kapil Dev: 175 not out vs Zimbabwe, 1983 World Cup
1983 was a magical year in Indian cricketing history. The victory at the World Cup gave India the belief to beat big sides on the big stages. It gave Indian cricket the recognition it needed around the world.
The man at the helm of affairs during this defining moment was none other than India's greatest ever all-rounder, Kapil Dev. Regarded as the greatest ODI innings by another Indian stalwart, Sunil Gavaskar, this performance was like a dream.
The chips were down when India were reduced to 17 for 5 by a potent Zimbabwean bowling attack. It was a must-win game for India if they wished to enter the semifinals. Then came out the great man with a swagger around him.
Without worrying too much about the consequences, he blasted the bowlers to all parts of the ground. The world would have written India off, but Kapil had different ideas. His 175 off 138 balls, including 16 boundaries and 6 sixes, took India to 266/8 in 60 overs.
No one could believe what they were seeing. It was a counter-attack of the highest order.
Zimbabwe were then bowled out for 235, allowing India to win the game and enter the semi-finals. This was a victory that told the Indians that they belong there, and that they were meant to achieve big things.
The confidence the team gained through that victory was instrumental in India's eventual march to the title.
# MS Dhoni: 91 not out vs Sri Lanka, 2011 World Cup final
MS Dhoni, the man known to turn the impossible into the routine, did something magical on the night of the 2011 World Cup final. No team had won a World Cup final at home before, and no team had chased down such a massive total to win a World Cup before. However, Dhoni was in his own world - a world of composure and calmness.
India faced an extremely strong Sri Lankan side, a side filled with legends of the game, in the final. Chasing 275, they were reduced to 114/3. Yuvraj Singh, who was later adjudged the Man of the Tournament, was slated to come in next. However, Dhoni surprised everyone by promoting himself ahead of Yuvraj.
The world looked at him with raised eyebrows as he had not performed tremendously with the bat until then. But Dhoni wanted to keep the left-right combination going with Gautam Gambhir as Muttiah Muralitharan, the off-spinner, was bowling. Moreover, Dhoni was confident about tackling Muralitharan as he had played with him in three seasons for his IPL franchise, Chennai Super Kings.
It turned out to be a masterstroke as Dhoni went on to score 91 not out and finished the game off with one of the most iconic sixes in cricketing history. When a packed Wankhede crowd were shouting on top of their lungs, when the entire Indian population was out on the streets, when all eyes were on MS Dhoni, he pulled a rabbit out of his habit.
It was the innings of his life, and he got good support from Gambhir as well. The knock ended Sachin Tendulkar's 23-year wait to lift a World cup trophy for his country.
# Ricky Ponting: 140 vs India, 2003 World Cup final
Australia didn't seem like the most likely team to win the World Cup in 2003 after Shane Warne was sent back home. But their skipper had the belief that they could defend their title.
Ricky Ponting always had the passion, the belief and the determination. Those things were what made him one of the greatest players as well as captains to ever play the game.
Australia came to the final in 2003 unbeaten throughout the tournament. They were to face India, who had also played magnificent cricket throughout the competition.
Sourav Ganguly's decision to bowl first after winning the toss was a bit of a brain-fade moment though. It was a beautiful batting strip, and runs on the board are always crucial in big games.
Ponting made the most of the opportunity and smashed 140 off 121 balls. He got his first 50 runs in 74 balls, but after that he really took the attack to the Indians, with strokeplay of sheer brilliance.
India crumbled under the pressure as Australia went on to win their third World Cup title.
# Kevin O'Brien: 113 vs England, 2011 World Cup
England have a habit of getting beaten by low-profile cricketing nations in ICC tournaments. They were beaten by the Netherlands in 2009 and the 2014 World T20.
And they were also stunned by an unexpected but marvelous performance by Ireland in the 2011 World Cup.
Batting first, England posted a mammoth score of 327, and it looked unlikely that Ireland would chase it down. Ireland were floundering at 106-4 when Kevin O'Brien came out to bat. Things became even worse when they lost another wicket, and the score read 111 for 5.
O'Brien was not only put under pressure by the number of wickets falling, but also by the ever-climbing run rate. However, he dealt with all of that very clinically.
His innings was a combination of a calm head, precise technique and brute force. He ended up smashing the fastest hundred ever in World Cup history, a record which still stands. A recovery from 111-5 to chase down 327 against a top-quality bowling attack was a moment of sheer magic.
Ireland is not a massive name in world cricket, but this victory gave them an identity. It will not be an overstatement to say that they rose from the ashes to win that contest.
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