The ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 has thrown up surprises galore, the biggest of which was the knocking out of defending champions England in the league phase. The Jos Buttler-led side had a disastrous campaign, finishing in seventh place with just three wins from nine games, and just about making the cut for ICC Champions Trophy 2025. (Cricket News | Full Coverage)
Hosts India, on the other hand, have had a near-invincible run so far, brushing aside every challenge and winning all nine league games without so much as breaking a sweat. Their unbeaten streak has deservedly earned India a first-place finish, and locked their showdown with New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday, November 15. The Kiwis finished fourth in the group stage with five wins and four losses.
The second semi-final will feature a clash between five-time champions Australia and perennial underperformers South Africa at Eden Gardens on Thursday, November 16. While the Aussies came into their own in the tournament after a sluggish start and notched up seven back-to-back victories, the Proteas have largely been dominant and apart from a shocking upset at the hands of Netherlands and disappointment against India, have not given their opponents much chance.
Of the four semi-finalists, New Zealand and South Africa have not lifted the ODI Cricket World Cup trophy previously. As for India, the 2023 ODI World Cup offers the chance for a third triumph after 1983 and 2011, and a second consecutive home title after 2011. Let's take a trip down memory lane and reminisce how India gloriously won two World Cups, while also looking at the other erstwhile winners in the previous 12 editions of the tournament.
2011
Winners: India
Hosts: India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh
Final: India defeated Sri Lanka by 6 wickets
Sachin Tendulkar finally picked up a World Cup trophy to add to his glittering list of personal cricket triumphs, and he said it was the highlight of his career. Sri Lanka won the toss and posted 274-6 after a brilliant 103 from Mahela Jayawardena at Wankhede Stadium. India were in trouble after losing Virender Sehwag (0) and Tendulkar (18) but Gautam Gambhir (97) and Mahendra Singh Dhoni (91) shared a 109-run stand to guide the home team to victory.
Tendulkar missed out on scoring his 100th international century that day but was still hoisted onto the shoulders of his teammates as they did a victory lap. India were the first team to win the World Cup on home soil, starting a run of three for tournament hosts. For Tendulkar, it was a first title in six World Cups. Yuvraj Singh starred in a quarterfinal win at Ahmedabad that ended Australia’s run of World Cup titles at three, and contributed to his selection as player of the tournament.
1983
Winners: India
Hosts: England
Final: India defeated West Indies by 43 runs
India caused a major upset by lifting the trophy at Lord’s against a West Indies squad that had won the two previous editions and featured Vivian Richards and Clive Lloyd. Having successfully negotiated the group stage, in which teams played each other twice, India beat England by six wickets in the semifinals. The West Indies were even more impressive, though, in limiting Pakistan to 184 before cruising past the victory target for the loss of just two wickets at The Oval.
West Indies started the final as a hot favorite, with odds shortening after India were dismissed for 183. However, things started to go wrong for the West Indies after Haynes’ dismissal left his team on 50-2. Two catches by Kapil Dev removed Richards and Lloyd, as Mohinder Amarnath (3-12) and Madan Lal (3-31) ripped through the West Indies batting order. The West Indies were all out for 140 in what became a defining moment for Indian cricket.
Other Previous Winners
2019
Winners: England
Hosts: England
Final: England were awarded victory on a countback of boundaries against New Zealand after the teams finished tied after the regulation 100 overs and a Super Over.
2015
Winners: Australia
Hosts: Australia and New Zealand
Final: Australia defeated New Zealand by 7 wickets
2007
Winners: Australia
Hosts: West Indies
Final: Australia defeated Sri Lanka by 53 runs
2003
Winners: Australia
Hosts: South Africa
Final: Australia defeated India by 125 runs
1999
Winners: Australia
Hosts: England and Wales
Final: Australia defeated Pakistan by 8 wickets
1996
Winners: Sri Lanka
Hosts: Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka
Final: Sri Lanka defeated Australia by 7 wickets
1992
Winners: Pakistan
Hosts: Australia and New Zealand
Final: Pakistan defeated England by 22 runs
1987
Winners: Australia
Hosts: India and Pakistan
Final: Australia defeated England by 7 runs
1979
Winners: West Indies
Hosts: England
Final: West Indies defeated England by 92 runs
1975
Winners: West Indies
Hosts: England
Final: West Indies defeated Australia by 17 runs
