Top 5 unforgettable upsets in Cricket World Cup history

The ODI World Cup 2023 is around the corner, teams are gearing up to give their best performances and win cricket's most prestigious trophy. Australia is the most successful side when it comes to the World Cup. They have won the trophy five times.

India and West Indies have won it twice each. Team India last won the World Cup when it was played in India in 2011. This time also they will try to bring back the trophy home for the fans. Underdog teams have surprised many teams in various editions of the World Cup. With Kenya in such instance, they qualified for the semi-final of the World Cup 2003 eventually losing to India.

Here are the top 5 Unforgettable upsets in Cricket World Cup history 

5. England vs Bangladesh, 2015 

England vs Bangladesh (Source- Twitter)

In a do-or-die match for England to keep their knockout hopes alive in the tournament. They performed in a really poor manner in the 2015 World Cup. Batting first they were reduced to eight for two. But with the help of their veteran wicketkeeper batter Mushfiqur Rahim who scored 89 runs, the Bangla Tigers posted a defendable target of 276 runs.

The defending champions in their run chase lost wickets at regular intervals and were never into the game. Now white-ball captain Jos Buttler and Ian Bell kept them in the chase. But the lower order just could not hold on to their nerves and they were bowled out for 260 runs.

4. Bangladesh vs India, 2007

Bangladesh vs India (Source- Twitter)

It was one of the biggest upsets in that tournament. With skipper Rahul Dravid electing to bat first India found it very tough to play the Bangladeshi bowlers. While Mashrafe Mortaza gave the Bangla Tigers an early breakthrough while spinners Abdur Razzak and Mohammad Rafique destroyed the Indian batting lineup as they bowled India out for 191 runs.

In response, the opener scored 51 runs off 53 deliveries. Wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim and all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan scored a fifty each as Bangladesh recorded the biggest win of their cricket history. Bangladesh won the match by 5 wickets with 9 balls to spare.

3. Ireland vs England, 2011 

Ireland vs England (Source- Twitter)

They played against their neighbors, England. The defending champions batted first they scored 327/8 with the courtesy of the trio of Kevin Pietersen, Jonathan Trott, and Ian Bell scored a fifty each. In response, Ireland were 111 for five, with no hopes left. But after the World witnessed one of the best innings in World Cup history of Kevin O’Brien, who smacked a 63-ball 113 to take Ireland past 300. Ireland won the match by 3 wickets and left everyone stunned.

2. Kenya vs Sri Lanka, 2003

Sri Lanka vs Kenya (Source- Twitter)

Kenya shocked everyone in 2003 by qualifying for the semifinals of the World Cup. Their dream run for the World Cup ended after they were defeated by two-time World Champion India. Some of the teams backed out from playing against them due to political issues.

Sri Lanka chose to field and restricted Kenya to 210. Kenyan batters struggled against Muttiah Muralitharan and found it difficult to pick him. Chasing the target of 211 runs, the likes of Sanath Jayasuriya, Aravinda de Silva, Kumar Sangakkara, and Marvan Atapattu struggled against the leg-spinners of Kenya. Collins Obuya returned with figures of 5/24. Kenya won that match by 53 runs.

1. West Indies vs India, 1983 

West Indies vs India (Source- Twitter)

The final of the 1983 Cricket World Cup was played between India and West Indies at Lord's. This was the third consecutive World Cup final appearance for the West Indies, having won the last two Cricket World Cups. India, playing in their first final, defeated the favourites West Indies to claim their first World Cup title.

Batting first, the Men in Blue lost their opener Sunil Gavaskar for just two just against the world's best bowling attack. A partnership between Krishnamachari Srikkanth and Mohinder Amarnath took India past the 50 mark. India were bowled out for just 183 runs.

In response, West Indies were reduced to 66/5. Jeff Dujon and Malcolm Marshall put on a partnership of 43 runs. But they could not take their team past the target. West Indies were thus all out for 140, and India had won their maiden Cricket World Cup by 43 runs.