List of 10 Best knocks in ICC Cricket World Cups: ICC World Cup is an event where performances from teams and player&#8217;s become immortal and get etched in every fan’s memory. When a batsman plays a knock that is important in the context of the game, wins his team the match or is significant in the outcome of the match, such innings are part of the greatest knocks in the World Cup and feature in highlights. The innings don’t have to be a century or fifty, just an important innings in context of the game, that affected the outcome of the match.

Here are 10 such innings that were important to the outcome of the game and are considered as the best knocks in World Cup history.

(PS: The innings are in no particular order. Each inning was as important as others which are not listed.)

175* &#8211; Kapil Dev v Zimbabwe 1983

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2014/11/Kapil-Dev.jpeg"><img loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-7024" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Kapil-Dev.jpeg" alt="Kapil Dev won 21 matches out of 42 captained in ODIs. (Photo Source: Getty Images)" width="402" height="488" sizes="(max-width: 402px) 100vw, 402px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-7024" class="wp-caption-text">Kapil Dev scored India&#8217;s first World Cup hundred. (Photo Source: Getty Images)</figcaption>

Perhaps one of the most important knocks in history of the World Cup. India met Zimbabwe in an important game in aspect of India’s qualification in the semi-finals. India batted first and Zimbabwe used the morning swing to demolish India’s top order leaving them trailing at 17/5.

Captain Kapil Dev then played one the best innings not only in World Cups, but among the best in ODI cricket history. The skipper and Roger Binny who made 22 added 60 runs together before being dismissed. Madan Lal gave some support to Kapil making 17, but the biggest support came from wicket keeper Syed Kirmani. Kirmani made 24 from 56 balls, while Kapil Dev went berserk on the Zimbabwe’s bowlers. When the dust settled, Kapil was not out on 175* off 138 balls which included 16 fours and 6 huge sixes. It was India’s first ODI and World Cup century and highest ODI score at that time. India dismissed Zimbabwe for 235 runs with Madan Lal taking 3/42, with Kapil also taking 1/32.

This knock took India to the semi-finals where they defeated England and eventually to the finals, in which as we all know, they created history.

91* &#8211; MS Dhoni v Sri Lanka 2011

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2014/11/MS-Dhoni.jpeg"><img loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-7025" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/MS-Dhoni.jpeg" alt="Dhoni is one of those batsmen known to hit sixes at will. (Photo Source: Getty Images)" width="299" height="420" sizes="(max-width: 299px) 100vw, 299px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-7025" class="wp-caption-text">MS Dhoni hitting one of the most famous sixes in World Cup history.(Photo Source: Getty Images)</figcaption>

Another Captain’s knock in another important match, in fact the most important match, the final of the World Cup 2011.  Sri Lanka made 274 batting first in the final at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, thanks to crafty 103 from Mahela Jayawardene. India lost Sehwag for 0, Sachin for 18 runs. Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir added 83 runs to give innings solidarity. But at the fall of Kohli’s wicket, in walked the then out of form Indian Captain MS Dhoni, surprisingly ahead of the in-form Yuvraj Singh.

Dhoni and Gambhir&#8217;s 109 runs stand took India towards their second World title. After Gambhir departed 3 short of a well-deserved century, Dhoni accelerated the chase along with Yuvraj and hit the winning runs with a massive six to reach 91* and win India the World Cup 2011.

97 &#8211; Gautam Gambhir v Sri Lanka 2011

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2014/06/Gambhir.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-5400" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Gambhir.jpg" alt="Gautam Gambhir has scored most in in indo Bangla Series. (Photo: AFP)" width="404" height="442" sizes="(max-width: 404px) 100vw, 404px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-5400" class="wp-caption-text">Gautam Gambhir&#8217;s innings of 97 is the most under appreciated innings in World Cup history. (Photo: AFP)</figcaption>

Though everyone talks about the Dhoni special in the 2011 World Cup final, not everyone remembers the importance of the knock Gambhir played. If Dhoni’s knock was important for India to win the match, Gambhir provided the platform for Dhoni to score those runs and hit that winning six.

He came in on the 3rd ball of the first over after Sehwag fell in the first over for a duck. Gambhir then lost Sachin, but along with Kohli, he kept making runs in order to keep the run rate in check and absorbed all the pressure to let the young Kohli play his natural game. Even when Dhoni came in, he let him get in stride and kept scoring quick runs. He also lost his wicket trying to push the run rate higher. He was bowled by Perera for 97, 3 short of a well-deserved and match winning century.

He gave Dhoni the platform he needed to blast off from and take India to victory. Gautam Gambhir’s selfless innings of 97 deserve more acclaim than it gets in comparison to Dhoni’s 91*.

149 &#8211; Adam Gilchrist v Sri Lanka 2007

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2014/11/Adam-Gilchrist.jpeg"><img loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-7021" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Adam-Gilchrist.jpeg" alt="(Photo Source : AFP )" width="380" height="260" sizes="(max-width: 380px) 100vw, 380px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-7021" class="wp-caption-text">Adam Gilchrist ended his World Cup career with a century.(Photo Source : AFP )</figcaption>

Australia met Sri Lanka in the finals of 2007 World Cup looking to win their 3rd successive and 4th crown over all. Australia batted first and got off to a similar start they had been getting in the tournament, the only thing different was that Adam Gilchrist who was relatively quiet in the tournament, exploded with aplomb. In a rain curtailed 38 over match, Gilchrist pulverized Sri Lankan bowling hitting 13 fours and 8 sixes to score 149 runs from 104 balls. When he got out, Australia was 224 in 30 overs.

Gilchrist was adjudged Man of the finals for his century after Australia won the match in almost complete darkness by 53 runs using D/L method.

140 &#8211; Ricky Ponting v India 2003

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2014/11/Ricky-Ponting.jpeg"><img loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-7026" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Ricky-Ponting.jpeg" alt="The most successful Captain in World Cup history with 24 successive wins is Australia’s Ricky Ponting. (Photo Source : Reuters )" width="388" height="308" sizes="(max-width: 388px) 100vw, 388px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-7026" class="wp-caption-text">Ricky Ponting won his first World Cup as Australian captain. (Photo Source : Reuters )</figcaption>

Before Adam Gilchrist exploded against Sri Lanka in 2007 World Cup final, Australian Captain Ricky Ponting dished out similar treatment to Indian bowlers in the 2003 World Cup finals. India had reached the finals of 2003 World Cup on the back of a very impressive performances. Seeing a green pitch on Jo’burg stadium, Indian Captain Sourav Ganguly opted to bowl first despite popular and expert opinion.

Indian bowlers sprayed the ball all over the pitch, either bowling short or bowling too full. First Matthew Hayden and then Ricky Ponting took advantage of India’s bowling to hit 359/2. Ponting top scored with 140* including 4 fours and 8 sixes. Damien Martyn scored 88 runs to add misery to Indian bowling.

Indian batting could not handle the pressure of chasing 360 in finals and were bowled out for 234 to lose by 125 runs. Sehwag top scored with 82 and Ricky Ponting got the Man of the match award for his 140*.

158 &#8211; Andrew Strauss v India 2011

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/02/Andrew-Strauss.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-12555" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Andrew-Strauss.jpg" alt="The inventors of the game of cricket have been the most unlucky ones. (Photo Source:Getty Images) " width="395" height="528" sizes="(max-width: 395px) 100vw, 395px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-12555" class="wp-caption-text">Andrew Strauss&#8217; 158 couldn&#8217;t win England the match. (Photo Source:Getty Images)</figcaption>

In the 2011 World Cup, India and England played one of the most amazing matches in World Cup history. India batted first and thanks to Sachin Tendulkar’s 120 made 338 runs. The England chase was fantastically and almost perfectly led by their Captain Andrew Strauss. Strauss along with Kevin Pietersen and Ian Bell (69) took the fight to the Indian bowlers, carting both spinners and quick bowlers to all parts of the ground to hit 18 fours and 1 six.

Strauss hit 158 runs to take England almost to the finish line. Ajmal Shehzad hit a six in the final over needing 14 runs, bowled by Munaf Patel. But that was not enough for England to clinch a thrilling win as they ended with scores tied on 338.

Strauss got the Man of the match for his brilliant and almost match winning 158 runs.

102* &#8211; Aravinda de Silva v Australia 1996

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2014/11/Aravinda-de-Silva.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-6931" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Aravinda-de-Silva.jpg" alt="Aravinda de Silva has taken 14 catches in World cup. (Photo Source: AFP)" width="377" height="291" sizes="(max-width: 377px) 100vw, 377px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-6931" class="wp-caption-text">Aravinda de Silva scored one of the best centuries in World Cup matches.(Photo Source: AFP)</figcaption>

The surprise package of 1996 World Cup, Sri Lanka made all the way into the finals against Australia on basis of some grade A hitting by their openers, choking spin bowling in middle of the innings and the leadership of their captain Arjuna Ranatunga.

Australia batted first in the finals and scored 241 on the back of 74 from Mark Taylor. For the first time, both the Sri Lankan openers Jayasuriya and Kaluwitharana failed to give Sri Lanka a start. But Asanka Gurusinha (65) and Aravinda de Silva who score one of the most brilliantly constructed 107* took Sri Lanka to safety and Arjuna Ranatunga joined De Silva and made 47 to take Sri Lanka to a surprising but well-deserved victory in the finals of the World Cup 1996. De Silva was adjudged Man of the match for his 107* and for making Sri Lanka the first team to win the World Cup chasing a total.

60 &#8211; Inzamam-ul-Haq v New Zealand 1992

1992 World Cup was unique in many ways. Colored clothing, matches under lights, use of white balls, third umpire and TV replays in use made this World Cup a treat for viewers. New Zealand played one of the best cricket in this World Cup, led by Martin Crowe, who was also adjudged player of the tournament.

New Zealand and Pakistan met in the semi-finals at Auckland. New Zealand made 262 runs with Martin Crowe making 91. When Pakistan started their chase, Martin Crowe injured his leg and had to go back to the pavilion and John Wright acted as captain. This gave Pakistan a chance to bounce back into the game after being 140/4. A special innings came from a very slim Inzamam who made 60 off 37 balls hitting the Kiwi medium pacers to all parts of Auckland ground.

Inzamam’s innings gave Pakistan enough impetus because even after his wicket, Moin Khan came in and finished the game making 20 off 11 balls. Inzamam’s match winning innings got him the Man of the match award and took Pakistan into the finals of 1992 World Cup.

82 &#8211; Sanath Jayasuriya v England 1996

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2014/11/Sanath-Jayasuriya.jpeg"><img loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-7028" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Sanath-Jayasuriya.jpeg" alt="Sanath Jayasuriya has hit 24 sixes in World Cups.. (Photo Source: Getty Images ) " width="370" height="538" sizes="(max-width: 370px) 100vw, 370px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-7028" class="wp-caption-text">Sanath Jayasuriya&#8217;s whirlwind innings of 82 numbed the English bowlers. (Photo Source: Getty Images )</figcaption>

England were the first hurdle in the knockout phase as Sri Lanka had to get through to their road to the 1996 World Cup crown. They met at the Faisalabad stadium and England batted first after winning the toss. They made a modest 235 with Phil De Freitas top scoring with 67 runs.

The Sri Lankan reply was led by a blitzkrieg innings of 82 by Sanath Jayasuriya. He scored 82 runs off 44 balls containing 13 fours and 3 sixes. Sri Lanka won the match by 5 wickets with contributions from Asanka Gurusinha who scored 45 runs. But the star and the Man of the match was Sanath Jayasuriya, whose innings numbed the England bowlers so much that even after he got out, they weren’t able to put pressure on the remaining batsmen, eventually unable to stop Sri Lanka from winning.

113 &#8211; Kevin O’Brien v England 2011

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2014/12/Kevin-OBrien-became-the-Hero-of-Ireland-Win.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-8423" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Kevin-OBrien-became-the-Hero-of-Ireland-Win.jpg" alt="Kevin O’Brien started his World Cup 2015 on high making scores of 50, 48 against UAE and South Africa. (Photo Source: Getty Images)" width="408" height="269" sizes="(max-width: 408px) 100vw, 408px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-8423" class="wp-caption-text">Kevin O’Brien scored the fastest century in World Cup history.(Photo Source: Getty Images)</figcaption>

England met Ireland at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore in a match which many considered in England’s pockets. And they were almost proved right; England scored a massive 327 on the backs of Jonathan Trott’s 92 and Ian Bell’s 81.

Ireland’s chase went from bad to worse in matter of overs. They lost their captain and opener William Porterfield for a duck on the first ball of the innings. But gradually they made some runs and got to 111/5, when Gary Wilson got out. England would have thought the win was in their grabs looking at the score, but they didn’t expect what came next. Kevin O’Brien walked in and took the attack to the English bowlers in form of a hurricane. He hit probably every bowler for a six or four and never took the foot off the gas pedal. English bowlers, who were on top of the world some time back, looked completely flabbergasted at the amount of abuse they were taking from Kevin O’Brien.

O’Brien scored the fastest hundred in World Cup history off just 50 balls and scored a total of 113 runs off 63 balls consisting of 13 fours and 6 sixes. The remainder of the match still proved to be a nail biter, but Alex Cusack (47) and John Mooney (33) took Ireland to victory despite England’s best efforts.

Kevin O’Brien was adjudged Man of the match and the match is considered as one of the classics in World Cup history.

*All stats updated till 17 March 2015.

Kapil Dev won 21 matches out of 42 captained in ODIs. (Photo Source: Getty Images)

List of 10 Best knocks in ICC Cricket World Cups:&nbsp;ICC World Cup is an event where performances from teams and player’s become immortal and get etched in every fan’s memory. When a batsman plays a knock that is important in the context of the game, wins his team the match or is significant in the outcome of the match, such innings are part of the greatest knocks in the World Cup and feature in highlights. The innings don’t have to be a century or fifty, just an important innings in context of the game, that affected the outcome of the match.
Here are 10 such innings that were important to the outcome of the game and are considered as the best knocks in World Cup history.
(PS: The innings are in no particular order. Each inning was as important as others which are not listed.)
175* – Kapil Dev v Zimbabwe 1983 

<figure id="attachment_7024" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-7024" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2014/11/Kapil-Dev.jpeg"><amp-img class=" wp-image-7024" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Kapil-Dev.jpeg" alt="Kapil Dev won 21 matches out of 42 captained in ODIs. (Photo Source: Getty Images)" width="402" height="488" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-7024" class="wp-caption-text">Kapil Dev scored India’s first World Cup hundred. (Photo Source: Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
Perhaps one of the most important knocks in history of the World Cup. India met Zimbabwe in an important game in aspect of India’s qualification in the semi-finals. India batted first and Zimbabwe used the morning swing to demolish India’s top order leaving them trailing at 17/5.
Captain Kapil Dev then played one the best innings not only in World Cups, but among the best in ODI cricket history. The skipper and Roger Binny who made 22 added 60 runs together before being dismissed. Madan Lal gave some support to Kapil making 17, but the biggest support came from wicket keeper Syed Kirmani. Kirmani made 24 from 56 balls, while Kapil Dev went berserk on the Zimbabwe’s bowlers. When the dust settled, Kapil was not out on 175* off 138 balls which included 16 fours and 6 huge sixes. It was India’s first ODI and World Cup century and highest ODI score at that time. India dismissed Zimbabwe for 235 runs with Madan Lal taking 3/42, with Kapil also taking 1/32.
This knock took India to the semi-finals where they defeated England and eventually to the finals, in which as we all know, they created history. 

91* – MS Dhoni v Sri Lanka 2011 

<figure id="attachment_7025" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-7025" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2014/11/MS-Dhoni.jpeg"><amp-img class=" wp-image-7025" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/MS-Dhoni.jpeg" alt="Dhoni is one of those batsmen known to hit sixes at will. (Photo Source: Getty Images)" width="299" height="420" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-7025" class="wp-caption-text">MS Dhoni hitting one of the most famous sixes in World Cup history.(Photo Source: Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
Another Captain’s knock in another important match, in fact the most important match, the final of the World Cup 2011. &nbsp;Sri Lanka made 274 batting first in the final at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, thanks to crafty 103 from Mahela Jayawardene. India lost Sehwag for 0, Sachin for 18 runs. Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir added 83 runs to give innings solidarity. But at the fall of Kohli’s wicket, in walked the then out of form Indian Captain MS Dhoni, surprisingly ahead of the in-form Yuvraj Singh.
Dhoni and Gambhir’s 109 runs stand took India towards their second World title. After Gambhir departed 3 short of a well-deserved century, Dhoni accelerated the chase along with Yuvraj and hit the winning runs with a massive six to reach 91* and win India the World Cup 2011. 

97 – Gautam Gambhir v Sri Lanka 2011 

<figure id="attachment_5400" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-5400" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2014/06/Gambhir.jpg"><amp-img class=" wp-image-5400" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Gambhir.jpg" alt="Gautam Gambhir has scored most in in indo Bangla Series. (Photo: AFP)" width="404" height="442" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-5400" class="wp-caption-text">Gautam Gambhir’s innings of 97 is the most under appreciated innings in World Cup history. (Photo: AFP)</figcaption></figure>
Though everyone talks about the Dhoni special in the 2011 World Cup final, not everyone remembers the importance of the knock Gambhir played. If Dhoni’s knock was important for India to win the match, Gambhir provided the platform for Dhoni to score those runs and hit that winning six.
He came in on the 3rd ball of the first over after Sehwag fell in the first over for a duck. Gambhir then lost Sachin, but along with Kohli, he kept making runs in order to keep the run rate in check and absorbed all the pressure to let the young Kohli play his natural game. Even when Dhoni came in, he let him get in stride and kept scoring quick runs. He also lost his wicket trying to push the run rate higher. He was bowled by Perera for 97, 3 short of a well-deserved and match winning century.
He gave Dhoni the platform he needed to blast off from and take India to victory. Gautam Gambhir’s selfless innings of 97 deserve more acclaim than it gets in comparison to Dhoni’s 91*. 

149 – Adam Gilchrist v Sri Lanka 2007 

<figure id="attachment_7021" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-7021" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2014/11/Adam-Gilchrist.jpeg"><amp-img class=" wp-image-7021" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Adam-Gilchrist.jpeg" alt="(Photo Source : AFP )" width="380" height="260" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-7021" class="wp-caption-text">Adam Gilchrist ended his World Cup career with a century.(Photo Source : AFP )</figcaption></figure>
Australia met Sri Lanka in the finals of 2007 World Cup looking to win their 3rd successive and 4th crown over all. Australia batted first and got off to a similar start they had been getting in the tournament, the only thing different was that Adam Gilchrist who was relatively quiet in the tournament, exploded with aplomb. In a rain curtailed 38 over match, Gilchrist pulverized Sri Lankan bowling hitting 13 fours and 8 sixes to score 149 runs from 104 balls. When he got out, Australia was 224 in 30 overs.
Gilchrist was adjudged Man of the finals for his century after Australia won the match in almost complete darkness by 53 runs using D/L method. 

140 – Ricky Ponting v India 2003
<figure id="attachment_7026" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-7026" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2014/11/Ricky-Ponting.jpeg"><amp-img class=" wp-image-7026" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Ricky-Ponting.jpeg" alt="The most successful Captain in World Cup history with 24 successive wins is Australia’s Ricky Ponting. (Photo Source : Reuters )" width="388" height="308" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-7026" class="wp-caption-text">Ricky Ponting won his first World Cup as Australian captain. (Photo Source : Reuters )</figcaption></figure>
Before Adam Gilchrist exploded against Sri Lanka in 2007 World Cup final, Australian Captain Ricky Ponting dished out similar treatment to Indian bowlers in the 2003 World Cup finals. India had reached the finals of 2003 World Cup on the back of a very impressive performances. Seeing a green pitch on Jo’burg stadium, Indian Captain Sourav Ganguly opted to bowl first despite popular and expert opinion.
Indian bowlers sprayed the ball all over the pitch, either bowling short or bowling too full. First Matthew Hayden and then Ricky Ponting took advantage of India’s bowling to hit 359/2. Ponting top scored with 140* including 4 fours and 8 sixes. Damien Martyn scored 88 runs to add misery to Indian bowling.
Indian batting could not handle the pressure of chasing 360 in finals and were bowled out for 234 to lose by 125 runs. Sehwag top scored with 82 and Ricky Ponting got the Man of the match award for his 140*. 

158 – Andrew Strauss v India 2011 

<figure id="attachment_12555" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-12555" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/02/Andrew-Strauss.jpg"><amp-img class=" wp-image-12555" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Andrew-Strauss.jpg" alt="The inventors of the game of cricket have been the most unlucky ones. (Photo Source:Getty Images) " width="395" height="528" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-12555" class="wp-caption-text">Andrew Strauss’ 158 couldn’t win England the match. (Photo Source:Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
In the 2011 World Cup, India and England played one of the most amazing matches in World Cup history. India batted first and thanks to Sachin Tendulkar’s 120 made 338 runs. The England chase was fantastically and almost perfectly led by their Captain Andrew Strauss. Strauss along with Kevin Pietersen and Ian Bell (69) took the fight to the Indian bowlers, carting both spinners and quick bowlers to all parts of the ground to hit 18 fours and 1 six.
Strauss hit 158 runs to take England almost to the finish line. Ajmal Shehzad hit a six in the final over needing 14 runs, bowled by Munaf Patel. But that was not enough for England to clinch a thrilling win as they ended with scores tied on 338.
Strauss got the Man of the match for his brilliant and almost match winning 158 runs. 

102* – Aravinda de Silva v Australia 1996 

<figure id="attachment_6931" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-6931" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2014/11/Aravinda-de-Silva.jpg"><amp-img class=" wp-image-6931" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Aravinda-de-Silva.jpg" alt="Aravinda de Silva has taken 14 catches in World cup. (Photo Source: AFP)" width="377" height="291" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-6931" class="wp-caption-text">Aravinda de Silva scored one of the best centuries in World Cup matches.(Photo Source: AFP)</figcaption></figure>
The surprise package of 1996 World Cup, Sri Lanka made all the way into the finals against Australia on basis of some grade A hitting by their openers, choking spin bowling in middle of the innings and the leadership of their captain Arjuna Ranatunga.
Australia batted first in the finals and scored 241 on the back of 74 from Mark Taylor. For the first time, both the Sri Lankan openers Jayasuriya and Kaluwitharana failed to give Sri Lanka a start. But Asanka Gurusinha (65) and Aravinda de Silva who score one of the most brilliantly constructed 107* took Sri Lanka to safety and Arjuna Ranatunga joined De Silva and made 47 to take Sri Lanka to a surprising but well-deserved victory in the finals of the World Cup 1996. 
De Silva was adjudged Man of the match for his 107* and for making Sri Lanka the first team to win the World Cup chasing a total. 

60 – Inzamam-ul-Haq v New Zealand 1992 

1992 World Cup was unique in many ways. Colored clothing, matches under lights, use of white balls, third umpire and TV replays in use made this World Cup a treat for viewers. New Zealand played one of the best cricket in this World Cup, led by Martin Crowe, who was also adjudged player of the tournament.
New Zealand and Pakistan met in the semi-finals at Auckland. New Zealand made 262 runs with Martin Crowe making 91. When Pakistan started their chase, Martin Crowe injured his leg and had to go back to the pavilion and John Wright acted as captain. This gave Pakistan a chance to bounce back into the game after being 140/4. A special innings came from a very slim Inzamam who made 60 off 37 balls hitting the Kiwi medium pacers to all parts of Auckland ground.
Inzamam’s&nbsp;innings gave Pakistan enough impetus because even after his wicket, Moin Khan came in and finished the game making 20 off 11 balls. Inzamam’s match winning innings got him the Man of the match award and took Pakistan into the finals of 1992 World Cup. 

82 – Sanath Jayasuriya v England 1996 

<figure id="attachment_7028" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-7028" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2014/11/Sanath-Jayasuriya.jpeg"><amp-img class=" wp-image-7028" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Sanath-Jayasuriya.jpeg" alt="Sanath Jayasuriya has hit 24 sixes in World Cups.. (Photo Source: Getty Images ) " width="370" height="538" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-7028" class="wp-caption-text">Sanath Jayasuriya’s whirlwind innings of 82 numbed the English bowlers. (Photo Source: Getty Images )</figcaption></figure>
England were the first hurdle in the knockout phase as Sri Lanka had to get through to their road to the 1996 World Cup crown. They met at the Faisalabad stadium and England batted first after winning the toss. They made a modest 235 with Phil De Freitas top scoring with 67 runs.
The Sri Lankan reply was led by a blitzkrieg innings of 82 by Sanath Jayasuriya. He scored 82 runs off 44 balls containing 13 fours and 3 sixes. Sri Lanka won the match by 5 wickets with contributions from Asanka Gurusinha who scored 45 runs. But the star and the Man of the match was Sanath Jayasuriya, whose innings numbed the England bowlers so much that even after he got out, they weren’t able to put pressure on the remaining batsmen, eventually unable to stop Sri Lanka from winning. 

113 – Kevin O’Brien v England 2011 

<figure id="attachment_8423" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-8423" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2014/12/Kevin-OBrien-became-the-Hero-of-Ireland-Win.jpg"><amp-img class=" wp-image-8423" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Kevin-OBrien-became-the-Hero-of-Ireland-Win.jpg" alt="Kevin O’Brien started his World Cup 2015 on high making scores of 50, 48 against UAE and South Africa. (Photo Source: Getty Images)" width="408" height="269" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-8423" class="wp-caption-text">Kevin O’Brien scored the fastest century in World Cup history.(Photo Source: Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
England met Ireland at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore in a match which many considered in England’s pockets. And they were almost proved right; England scored a massive 327 on the backs of Jonathan Trott’s 92 and Ian Bell’s 81.
Ireland’s chase went from bad to worse in matter of overs. They lost their captain and opener William Porterfield for a duck on the first ball of the innings. But gradually they made some runs and got to 111/5, when Gary Wilson got out. England would have thought the win was in their grabs looking at the score, but they didn’t expect what came next. Kevin O’Brien walked in and took the attack to the English bowlers in form of a hurricane. He hit probably every bowler for a six or four and never took the foot off the gas pedal. English bowlers, who were on top of the world some time back, looked completely flabbergasted at the amount of abuse they were taking from Kevin O’Brien.
O’Brien scored the fastest hundred in World Cup history off just 50 balls and scored a total of 113 runs off 63 balls consisting of 13 fours and 6 sixes. The remainder of the match still proved to be a nail biter, but Alex Cusack (47) and John Mooney (33) took Ireland to victory despite England’s best efforts.
Kevin O’Brien was adjudged Man of the match and the match is considered as one of the classics in World Cup history.
*All stats updated till 17 March 2015.

List of 10 Best knocks in ICC Cricket World Cups: ICC World Cup is an event where performances from teams and player&#8217;s become immortal and get etched in every fan’s memory. When a batsman plays a knock that is important in the context of the game, wins his team the match or is significant in the outcome of the match, such innings are part of the greatest knocks in the World Cup and feature in highlights. The innings don’t have to be a century or fifty, just an important innings in context of the game, that affected the outcome of the match.
Here are 10 such innings that were important to the outcome of the game and are considered as the best knocks in World Cup history.
(PS: The innings are in no particular order. Each inning was as important as others which are not listed.)
175* &#8211; Kapil Dev v Zimbabwe 1983 

<figure id="attachment_7024" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-7024" style="width: 402px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2014/11/Kapil-Dev.jpeg"><img loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-7024" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Kapil-Dev.jpeg" alt="Kapil Dev won 21 matches out of 42 captained in ODIs. (Photo Source: Getty Images)" width="402" height="488" sizes="(max-width: 402px) 100vw, 402px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-7024" class="wp-caption-text">Kapil Dev scored India&#8217;s first World Cup hundred. (Photo Source: Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
Perhaps one of the most important knocks in history of the World Cup. India met Zimbabwe in an important game in aspect of India’s qualification in the semi-finals. India batted first and Zimbabwe used the morning swing to demolish India’s top order leaving them trailing at 17/5.
Captain Kapil Dev then played one the best innings not only in World Cups, but among the best in ODI cricket history. The skipper and Roger Binny who made 22 added 60 runs together before being dismissed. Madan Lal gave some support to Kapil making 17, but the biggest support came from wicket keeper Syed Kirmani. Kirmani made 24 from 56 balls, while Kapil Dev went berserk on the Zimbabwe’s bowlers. When the dust settled, Kapil was not out on 175* off 138 balls which included 16 fours and 6 huge sixes. It was India’s first ODI and World Cup century and highest ODI score at that time. India dismissed Zimbabwe for 235 runs with Madan Lal taking 3/42, with Kapil also taking 1/32.
This knock took India to the semi-finals where they defeated England and eventually to the finals, in which as we all know, they created history. 

91* &#8211; MS Dhoni v Sri Lanka 2011 

<figure id="attachment_7025" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-7025" style="width: 299px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2014/11/MS-Dhoni.jpeg"><img loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-7025" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/MS-Dhoni.jpeg" alt="Dhoni is one of those batsmen known to hit sixes at will. (Photo Source: Getty Images)" width="299" height="420" sizes="(max-width: 299px) 100vw, 299px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-7025" class="wp-caption-text">MS Dhoni hitting one of the most famous sixes in World Cup history.(Photo Source: Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
Another Captain’s knock in another important match, in fact the most important match, the final of the World Cup 2011.  Sri Lanka made 274 batting first in the final at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, thanks to crafty 103 from Mahela Jayawardene. India lost Sehwag for 0, Sachin for 18 runs. Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir added 83 runs to give innings solidarity. But at the fall of Kohli’s wicket, in walked the then out of form Indian Captain MS Dhoni, surprisingly ahead of the in-form Yuvraj Singh.
Dhoni and Gambhir&#8217;s 109 runs stand took India towards their second World title. After Gambhir departed 3 short of a well-deserved century, Dhoni accelerated the chase along with Yuvraj and hit the winning runs with a massive six to reach 91* and win India the World Cup 2011. 

97 &#8211; Gautam Gambhir v Sri Lanka 2011 

<figure id="attachment_5400" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-5400" style="width: 404px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2014/06/Gambhir.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-5400" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Gambhir.jpg" alt="Gautam Gambhir has scored most in in indo Bangla Series. (Photo: AFP)" width="404" height="442" sizes="(max-width: 404px) 100vw, 404px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-5400" class="wp-caption-text">Gautam Gambhir&#8217;s innings of 97 is the most under appreciated innings in World Cup history. (Photo: AFP)</figcaption></figure>
Though everyone talks about the Dhoni special in the 2011 World Cup final, not everyone remembers the importance of the knock Gambhir played. If Dhoni’s knock was important for India to win the match, Gambhir provided the platform for Dhoni to score those runs and hit that winning six.
He came in on the 3rd ball of the first over after Sehwag fell in the first over for a duck. Gambhir then lost Sachin, but along with Kohli, he kept making runs in order to keep the run rate in check and absorbed all the pressure to let the young Kohli play his natural game. Even when Dhoni came in, he let him get in stride and kept scoring quick runs. He also lost his wicket trying to push the run rate higher. He was bowled by Perera for 97, 3 short of a well-deserved and match winning century.
He gave Dhoni the platform he needed to blast off from and take India to victory. Gautam Gambhir’s selfless innings of 97 deserve more acclaim than it gets in comparison to Dhoni’s 91*. 

149 &#8211; Adam Gilchrist v Sri Lanka 2007 

<figure id="attachment_7021" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-7021" style="width: 380px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2014/11/Adam-Gilchrist.jpeg"><img loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-7021" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Adam-Gilchrist.jpeg" alt="(Photo Source : AFP )" width="380" height="260" sizes="(max-width: 380px) 100vw, 380px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-7021" class="wp-caption-text">Adam Gilchrist ended his World Cup career with a century.(Photo Source : AFP )</figcaption></figure>
Australia met Sri Lanka in the finals of 2007 World Cup looking to win their 3rd successive and 4th crown over all. Australia batted first and got off to a similar start they had been getting in the tournament, the only thing different was that Adam Gilchrist who was relatively quiet in the tournament, exploded with aplomb. In a rain curtailed 38 over match, Gilchrist pulverized Sri Lankan bowling hitting 13 fours and 8 sixes to score 149 runs from 104 balls. When he got out, Australia was 224 in 30 overs.
Gilchrist was adjudged Man of the finals for his century after Australia won the match in almost complete darkness by 53 runs using D/L method. 

140 &#8211; Ricky Ponting v India 2003
<figure id="attachment_7026" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-7026" style="width: 388px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2014/11/Ricky-Ponting.jpeg"><img loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-7026" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Ricky-Ponting.jpeg" alt="The most successful Captain in World Cup history with 24 successive wins is Australia’s Ricky Ponting. (Photo Source : Reuters )" width="388" height="308" sizes="(max-width: 388px) 100vw, 388px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-7026" class="wp-caption-text">Ricky Ponting won his first World Cup as Australian captain. (Photo Source : Reuters )</figcaption></figure>
Before Adam Gilchrist exploded against Sri Lanka in 2007 World Cup final, Australian Captain Ricky Ponting dished out similar treatment to Indian bowlers in the 2003 World Cup finals. India had reached the finals of 2003 World Cup on the back of a very impressive performances. Seeing a green pitch on Jo’burg stadium, Indian Captain Sourav Ganguly opted to bowl first despite popular and expert opinion.
Indian bowlers sprayed the ball all over the pitch, either bowling short or bowling too full. First Matthew Hayden and then Ricky Ponting took advantage of India’s bowling to hit 359/2. Ponting top scored with 140* including 4 fours and 8 sixes. Damien Martyn scored 88 runs to add misery to Indian bowling.
Indian batting could not handle the pressure of chasing 360 in finals and were bowled out for 234 to lose by 125 runs. Sehwag top scored with 82 and Ricky Ponting got the Man of the match award for his 140*. 

158 &#8211; Andrew Strauss v India 2011 

<figure id="attachment_12555" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-12555" style="width: 395px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/02/Andrew-Strauss.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-12555" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Andrew-Strauss.jpg" alt="The inventors of the game of cricket have been the most unlucky ones. (Photo Source:Getty Images) " width="395" height="528" sizes="(max-width: 395px) 100vw, 395px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-12555" class="wp-caption-text">Andrew Strauss&#8217; 158 couldn&#8217;t win England the match. (Photo Source:Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
In the 2011 World Cup, India and England played one of the most amazing matches in World Cup history. India batted first and thanks to Sachin Tendulkar’s 120 made 338 runs. The England chase was fantastically and almost perfectly led by their Captain Andrew Strauss. Strauss along with Kevin Pietersen and Ian Bell (69) took the fight to the Indian bowlers, carting both spinners and quick bowlers to all parts of the ground to hit 18 fours and 1 six.
Strauss hit 158 runs to take England almost to the finish line. Ajmal Shehzad hit a six in the final over needing 14 runs, bowled by Munaf Patel. But that was not enough for England to clinch a thrilling win as they ended with scores tied on 338.
Strauss got the Man of the match for his brilliant and almost match winning 158 runs. 

102* &#8211; Aravinda de Silva v Australia 1996 

<figure id="attachment_6931" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-6931" style="width: 377px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2014/11/Aravinda-de-Silva.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-6931" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Aravinda-de-Silva.jpg" alt="Aravinda de Silva has taken 14 catches in World cup. (Photo Source: AFP)" width="377" height="291" sizes="(max-width: 377px) 100vw, 377px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-6931" class="wp-caption-text">Aravinda de Silva scored one of the best centuries in World Cup matches.(Photo Source: AFP)</figcaption></figure>
The surprise package of 1996 World Cup, Sri Lanka made all the way into the finals against Australia on basis of some grade A hitting by their openers, choking spin bowling in middle of the innings and the leadership of their captain Arjuna Ranatunga.
Australia batted first in the finals and scored 241 on the back of 74 from Mark Taylor. For the first time, both the Sri Lankan openers Jayasuriya and Kaluwitharana failed to give Sri Lanka a start. But Asanka Gurusinha (65) and Aravinda de Silva who score one of the most brilliantly constructed 107* took Sri Lanka to safety and Arjuna Ranatunga joined De Silva and made 47 to take Sri Lanka to a surprising but well-deserved victory in the finals of the World Cup 1996. 
De Silva was adjudged Man of the match for his 107* and for making Sri Lanka the first team to win the World Cup chasing a total. 

60 &#8211; Inzamam-ul-Haq v New Zealand 1992 

1992 World Cup was unique in many ways. Colored clothing, matches under lights, use of white balls, third umpire and TV replays in use made this World Cup a treat for viewers. New Zealand played one of the best cricket in this World Cup, led by Martin Crowe, who was also adjudged player of the tournament.
New Zealand and Pakistan met in the semi-finals at Auckland. New Zealand made 262 runs with Martin Crowe making 91. When Pakistan started their chase, Martin Crowe injured his leg and had to go back to the pavilion and John Wright acted as captain. This gave Pakistan a chance to bounce back into the game after being 140/4. A special innings came from a very slim Inzamam who made 60 off 37 balls hitting the Kiwi medium pacers to all parts of Auckland ground.
Inzamam’s innings gave Pakistan enough impetus because even after his wicket, Moin Khan came in and finished the game making 20 off 11 balls. Inzamam’s match winning innings got him the Man of the match award and took Pakistan into the finals of 1992 World Cup. 

82 &#8211; Sanath Jayasuriya v England 1996 

<figure id="attachment_7028" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-7028" style="width: 370px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2014/11/Sanath-Jayasuriya.jpeg"><img loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-7028" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Sanath-Jayasuriya.jpeg" alt="Sanath Jayasuriya has hit 24 sixes in World Cups.. (Photo Source: Getty Images ) " width="370" height="538" sizes="(max-width: 370px) 100vw, 370px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-7028" class="wp-caption-text">Sanath Jayasuriya&#8217;s whirlwind innings of 82 numbed the English bowlers. (Photo Source: Getty Images )</figcaption></figure>
England were the first hurdle in the knockout phase as Sri Lanka had to get through to their road to the 1996 World Cup crown. They met at the Faisalabad stadium and England batted first after winning the toss. They made a modest 235 with Phil De Freitas top scoring with 67 runs.
The Sri Lankan reply was led by a blitzkrieg innings of 82 by Sanath Jayasuriya. He scored 82 runs off 44 balls containing 13 fours and 3 sixes. Sri Lanka won the match by 5 wickets with contributions from Asanka Gurusinha who scored 45 runs. But the star and the Man of the match was Sanath Jayasuriya, whose innings numbed the England bowlers so much that even after he got out, they weren’t able to put pressure on the remaining batsmen, eventually unable to stop Sri Lanka from winning. 

113 &#8211; Kevin O’Brien v England 2011 

<figure id="attachment_8423" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-8423" style="width: 408px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2014/12/Kevin-OBrien-became-the-Hero-of-Ireland-Win.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-8423" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Kevin-OBrien-became-the-Hero-of-Ireland-Win.jpg" alt="Kevin O’Brien started his World Cup 2015 on high making scores of 50, 48 against UAE and South Africa. (Photo Source: Getty Images)" width="408" height="269" sizes="(max-width: 408px) 100vw, 408px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-8423" class="wp-caption-text">Kevin O’Brien scored the fastest century in World Cup history.(Photo Source: Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
England met Ireland at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore in a match which many considered in England’s pockets. And they were almost proved right; England scored a massive 327 on the backs of Jonathan Trott’s 92 and Ian Bell’s 81.
Ireland’s chase went from bad to worse in matter of overs. They lost their captain and opener William Porterfield for a duck on the first ball of the innings. But gradually they made some runs and got to 111/5, when Gary Wilson got out. England would have thought the win was in their grabs looking at the score, but they didn’t expect what came next. Kevin O’Brien walked in and took the attack to the English bowlers in form of a hurricane. He hit probably every bowler for a six or four and never took the foot off the gas pedal. English bowlers, who were on top of the world some time back, looked completely flabbergasted at the amount of abuse they were taking from Kevin O’Brien.
O’Brien scored the fastest hundred in World Cup history off just 50 balls and scored a total of 113 runs off 63 balls consisting of 13 fours and 6 sixes. The remainder of the match still proved to be a nail biter, but Alex Cusack (47) and John Mooney (33) took Ireland to victory despite England’s best efforts.
Kevin O’Brien was adjudged Man of the match and the match is considered as one of the classics in World Cup history.
*All stats updated till 17 March 2015.

List of 10 Best knocks in ICC Cricket World Cups

List of 10 Best knocks in ICC Cricket World Cups: ICC World Cup is an event where players, teams, performances become immortal and etched in every fan’s memory.