The battle to be the supreme champion of Cricket is going to start on the 30th of May, 2019. The hosts are those who are credited to have laid the foundation of the game. With excitement at an all-time high, BalleBaazi takes you back to the top 10 most amazing moments of the yesteryear World Cup tournaments that took Cricket fans on a rollercoaster ride of emotions.
- The God of Cricket being carried around by the team on their shoulders on his home turf – World Cup 2011
Credits: TheNational.ae
Sachin’s last World Cup. India playing in India. Dhoni’s six makes Wankhede rise on its feet. A young Virat Kohli, who later admitted that he didn’t know where it came from when he said, “Sachin Tendulkar has carried the burden of the nation for 21 years. It is time we carried him on our shoulders,” but we sure as hell knew where it came from. Straight from the heart. If contentment had a face, it was Sachin’s when India’s wait for another World Cup ended.
- Kangaroos being Kangaroos – World Cup 1999
Credits: Sportskeeda
One of the most dramatic semi-finals of all time was witnessed when Australia and South Africa met for the second time in World Cup 1999. Described as a sheer classic, both teams were bowled out for a score of 213, with the Proteas falling short in the run chase. It was a Warne show as he spun the South Africans in a trap before Klusener fought back, but in vain. But the controversy was big here. It was the run that wasn’t. With Nine required from the final over and one wicket in hand, the first two deliveries went to the boundary. Unfortunately, that one run wasn’t completed due to confusion. Donald and Klusener were stuck at the same end as they got way too eager to score the winning run leaving the match tied. Australia qualified (and won the finals) because of their victory in the Super Sixes stage against guess who? Guess, Herschelle Gibbs did drop the World Cup. We are still trying to figure out what is it with South Africa and the World Cup. Maybe they will turn around good this time?
- The AB before AB – Herschelle Gibbs hits six sixes – World Cup 2007
Credits: Rapidleaks
The guy who is infamous for dropping the ’99 World Cup showed who he is and what he is made of by becoming the first player to hit six sixes in an international match. The match was reduced to 40 overs, yet the Proteas won by a margin of 221 runs. The right-hander made a quick-fire 72 off 40 balls to overshadow the legend Jacques Kallis who scored a magnificent century.
- Oh, Gibbs! – World Cup 1999
Credits: The Cricketer
We have reached number 4 in this list of top 10 amazeballs World Cup moments and the South Africans have been already mentioned twice and Gibbs along with them. One of the sharpest fielders of his time, Gibbs dropped the catch when it mattered the most. Australia’s hopes were particularly high with this game, because they had to qualify. South Africa were pretty comfortable having sealed a berth in the semi-final. Steve Waugh was at his lethal best and was determined to chase down the total of 271. He was going strong when he flicked it off to Gibbs who was fielding at midwicket. He proved that day that why one should never celebrate too early. Steve went on to score his second ODI hundred and bag the crucial win for his team. Who would have thought that Gibbs’ drop would cost what could have been SAF’s first World Cup?
- It’s South Africa. Again – World Cup 1992
Credits: Hindustan Times
It almost makes us want to believe that there’s some jinx involved with the Proteas and the World Cup. It was an emotional time for the South Africans as they were playing at the international stage for the first time. From needing 22 off 13, they somehow ended up needing 22 off 1. Yes, it’s that bizarre. After making it to the semis, rain ruined their dream run. The controversial rain rule put them in a position where after it stopped raining, came a tsunami of tears. The never-ending string of heartaches began here.
- Leverockstar – World Cup 2007
Credits: ESPN Cricinfo
Yeah, he can fly. An eye-popping catch at slip from Dwayne Leverock(star) to dismiss Robin Uthappa, left the batsman surprised, just like the rest of the world. A larger than life figure, he took one of the greatest catches ever taken. In Bermuda’s only appearance in the World Cup, he became immortal. The 125 Kg, 35 YO dove to his right and caught a blinder to register a major upset, beating the ’83 champs. The catch earned him the coveted awards of Athlete of the Year and Sports Personality of the Year award in Bermuda.
- From one Superman to the original one – World Cup 1992
Credits: YouTube
Probably why no one can think beyond anyone else than Jonty Rhodes when it comes to the fielding benchmark. Rain again played the spoilsport in the match. With Pakistan needing approximately 10 an over in the final six overs, South Africa needed to pull off a miracle and that’s what Jonty did. He started a collapse when he flew into the stumps to run out Inzy, in a ‘Jonty’ (let’s just agree, he is faster than the flash. We wonder why no one has used that phrase yet?).
- Chaos in Kolkata – World Cup 1996
Credits: Patrika
As soon as this match is reminisced, the first picture that comes to mind is a dejected and inconsolable Vinod Kambli crying. When the Sri Lankans were causing mayhem on the pitch, Indian fans couldn’t believe what was happening. Chasing 252, India were sitting pretty comfortable at 98/1 with the God being godly. In the next hour, the most bizarre things happened. India lost seven wickets for 22 runs and the fans turned vandals. From setting the seats ablaze to throwing bottles on the outfield, the Indian fans forced the match to be stopped. A 15-minute break was suggested by the Match Referee by Clive Lloyd, only to decide that India will be handed the first-ever and only World Cup knockout by default.
- Wasim rips through England – World Cup 1992
Credits: ESPN
It was the time to go all in and boy did Wasim Akram do that! It was Pakistan’s first-ever World Cup final and one man stole the show. He had his eyes firmly set on the prize and helped his team with the bat and the ball. From hitting 33 off just 18 balls to help his team set a reasonable target of 249 to getting Botham out for a duck and bowling a magical 35th over, he left no stone unturned. He was adjudged the Man of the Match in the final for ‘delivering’ a stellar performance.
- Gilly’s secret – World Cup 2007
Credits: Cricket Australia
Gilly wasn’t in the form of his life during the tournament; but as they say, big players rise on big occasions, he went on to smash the highest individual score in a World Cup final. At that time, he was struggling with his grip because his bottom hand proved to be too powerful for him to avoid silly dismissals. It was then when his batting coach Bob Meuleman suggested him to tuck a squash ball into his left glove to keep the last few fingers away from completely gripping the bat. This allowed Gilly’s right hand to flow and how! His knock of 149 (104) meant Australia would complete a hat-trick of World Cups.
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