The Cricket World Cup will be played again in 2023. England will want to defend their crown on India soil. The sports desk would be brimming with a lot of cricket news to cover during the tournament. India will want to create history and lift their third World Cup just like they did in 2011. The World Cup will be very closely fought as the overseas teams are used to Indian conditions due to the Indian Premier League (IPL).
With flat placid pitches and short boundaries being the norm in India, there would be a lot of fours and sixes hit in the tournament. The World Cup has produced amazing matches over the years and The upcoming Cricket World Cup would have more of the same. India would have the additional incentive of playing in home conditions and also playing in front of home crowds.
Here are 5 upsets in World Cup history over the years:
5. India vs West Indies -1983
The Men in Blue played out of their skins to make it to the final against the West Indies. In a low scoring game, India crumbled against the mighty West Indies bowling attack for just 183.
In the second innings, The Men in Maroon got off to a great start and looked set to overhaul the target at 57-2, But the match changed in a matter of minutes as Kapil Dev took a superb catch to dismiss Sir Vivian Richards. Then Mohinder Amarnath picked up three quick scalps . The West Indies were dismissed for 140.
4. Zimbabwe vs England -1992
In yet another low scoring thriller. The Chevrons beat the Three Lions by 9 runs. Zimbabwe did not put-up a good score as they were bundled out for 134. England made sure that Zimbabwe kept losing wickets at regular intervals.
In the second innings, Zimbabwe needed someone to step up and it was Eddo Brandes. He picked up 4-21 and dismissed, Robin Smith, Allan Lamb, Graeme Hick and Graeme Gooch along the way to give a famous win.
3. West Indies vs Kenya – 1996
West Indies and Kenya played out a nail-bitter in Pune. The African nation made their way to 166 in the first innings. Steve Tickolo made 29 off 50 balls with three fours and one six. Thomas Odoyo made a valuable 24 off 59 balls with three fours.
In the second innings, a West Indies, batting lineup which had the likes of Brian Lara and Shivnarine Chanderpaul could not get going as Maurice Odumbe and Rajab Ali took three-wickets each to give Kenya a huge 73 run win.
2. Bangladesh vs Pakistan 1999
Pakistan and Bangladesh faced off against each other in the 1999 World Cup. Bangladesh made their way to 223-9 despite Saqlain Mushtaq’s five wicket haul. Akram Khan hit 42 off 66 balls with six fours.
In the second innings, the Pakistan batters could not get going as Khaled Mahmud picked up 3-31 in his 10 overs. A couple of run outs also hurt Pakistan very badly as Bangaldesh won by 62 runs.
1. England vs Ireland 2011
Ireland stunned England to win a thriller at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore. England made 327-8 in 50 overs. Johnathan Trott made a run a ball 92 with nine fours. Ian Bell made 81 off 96 balls with three fours and one six.
In the second innings, Ireland were in disarray at 111-5 before Kevin O Brian smashed 113 off 63 balls with 13 fours and one six. Ireland won the game with four balls to spare.
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