Cricket is not just a game for the fans who follow it ardently. It has become synonymous to a religion that they worship. They show great enthusiasm and intensity when certain rivalries take the center stage &#8211; be it the Ashes or the India Pakistan rivalry. The temperatures are bound to soar when these sides lock horns. It is often wondered how can one estimate the build up and hype for such rivalries.

One such parameter is by having a look at the numbers that matter. Well, the number of people that tune in for the matches is a clear number to point out which match has been a smash hit. This is similar to the box office collections for the movie releases or the TRP for the television shows. For instance, the Champions Trophy 2017 league stage game between India and Pakistan <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/ct-2017-india-v-pakistan-game-garnered-record-viewership/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>garnered record viewership for the tournament</strong></a>.

When the two sides were set to meet in the finals again, the numbers were expected to be on the rise. The calculations would certainly reveal how successful the final clash ends up being. For now, here is a look at the top 5 most viewed cricket matches in the history of the game:

5) 2015 WC group game between India &amp; SA — 300 million Unique Viewers

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2016/10/Ravindra-Jadeja-MS-Dhoni.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-91121" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2016/10/Ravindra-Jadeja-MS-Dhoni-556x400.jpg" alt="Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni of Indi" width="556" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 556px) 100vw, 556px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-91121" class="wp-caption-text">Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni of India. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)</figcaption>

When the Indian team clashed with South Africa in the Group B encounter of ICC World Cup 2015, the hype around the game was immense. South Africa were being tipped as the favorites to win the match considering their rampaging form. But it was the <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/india-beat-south-africa-in-the-world-cup-2015-the-best-twitter-reactions/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>MS Dhoni-led side that emerged victorious</strong></a>.

The men in blue posted a mammoth 307 runs in their 50 overs after batting first. Shikhar Dhawan top scored with 137 to his name and was well supported by Ajinkya Rahane&#8217;s quick 79. In response, the South African team ended up bundling out for a mere 177 with Ravichandran Ashwin bagging 3/41. 

4) 2015 WC group game between India &amp; Pakistan — 313 million Unique Viewers

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/11/India-vs-Pakistan-2015-World-Cup-After-Match.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-42820" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/11/India-vs-Pakistan-2015-World-Cup-After-Match.jpg" alt="India-Pakistan series" width="594" height="396" sizes="(max-width: 594px) 100vw, 594px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-42820" class="wp-caption-text">(© Getty Images)</figcaption>

The stage was set for the biggest rivalry in cricket to get underway in the pinnacle of ODI cricket in the World Cup 2015. In the group stages, team <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/watch-pakistan-counters-star-sports-indian-icc-world-cup-2015-ad-campaign/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India clashed with Pakistan in a highly anticipated game</strong></a>. MS Dhoni won the toss and had opted to bat first. Opener Shikhar Dhawan hit a fine 73 and Virat Kohli mustered a scintillating on to set the tone for the Indian innings.

Suresh Raina provided the ideal finish with a quick 74 to see the team finish wih 300 runs on the board. In the run chase, team Pakistan were never in the hunt. Skipper Misbah-ul-Haq played the solitary ranger with a 76 to his name as the team bundled out for 224 in 47 overs. It was Mohammad Shami who wreaked havoc with the ball to return with figures of 4/35.

3) 2017 CT group game between India &amp; Pakistan — 324 million Unique Viewers

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2017/04/Virat-Kohli-11.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-151467" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2017/04/Virat-Kohli-11-600x374.jpg" alt="Virat Kohli Inda ICC Champions Trophy" width="600" height="374" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-151467" class="wp-caption-text">India&#8217;s captain Virat Kohli (C) shakes hands with Pakistan players. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images)</figcaption>

Coming in to the Champions Trophy 2017, the stage was set at Edgbaston for the big rivalry between India and Pakistan to take place yet again. As expected, the match saw a <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/edgbaston-cricket-ground-records-highest-ever-attendance-india-pakistan-game/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>record attendance at Birmingham</strong></a>. In the game, the men in blue totally dominated the opposition.

The top four of the Indian batting &#8211; Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Yuvraj Singh &#8211; scored fifties to see the team post a total in excess of 300 on the board. In the run chase, Pakistani team was seen absolutely clueless as they bundled out under 170 runs to see the Indian team register a 124 run win by the DLS method. 

2) 2011 WC semi-final between India &amp; Pakistan — 495 million Unique Viewers

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2016/05/Gautam-Gambhir-Kamran-Akmal.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-67591" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2016/05/Gautam-Gambhir-Kamran-Akmal-584x400.jpg" alt="Gautam Gambhir" width="584" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-67591" class="wp-caption-text">Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir (L) watched by Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal plays a shot during the ICC Cricket World Cup semi-final match between India and Pakistan at The Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium in Mohali on March 30, 2011. AFP PHOTO/Indranil MUKHERJEE (Photo credit should read INDRANIL MUKHERJEE/AFP/Getty Images)</figcaption>

Arguably the most hyped game of the decade, the Indian team met the arch rivals Pakistan at Mohali in the semi-final game of ICC World Cup 2011. The Indian team saw the batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar top score in the game with a brilliant 85 off 115 balls.

His efforts helped the team reach 260 on the board despite the other batsmen failing to live up to the mark on the day. It was the Indian bowling that lived up to the occasion and defended the below par total. Pakistan bundled out for a mere 231 to hand the men in blue a 29 run win. Indian bowlers shared 2 wickets each to see the team march to the finals. 

1) 2011 WC final between India &amp; Sri Lanka &#8211; 558 million Unique Viewers

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2016/10/Indian-captain-Mahendra-Singh-Dhoni.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-87993" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2016/10/Indian-captain-Mahendra-Singh-Dhoni-571x400.jpg" alt="MS Dhoni World Cup six" width="571" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 571px) 100vw, 571px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-87993" class="wp-caption-text">Mahendra Singh Dhoni hits a six to win against Sri Lanka as teammate Yuvraj Singh reacts during the Cricket World Cup 2011 final. (Photo credit INDRANIL MUKHERJEE/AFP/Getty Images)</figcaption>

The stage was set for the biggest event of the year back in 2011. The hosts &#8211; the Indian team &#8211; had marched into the finals of the ICC World Cup. They were up against the co-hosts Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan team posted a sizeable total of 274 on the board riding on a masterly ton from Mahela Jayawardene.

The Indian team needed a record run chase to overhaul the target. Led firmly by MS Dhoni, the Indian team etched their name in the history books as MS Dhoni finished things in style. He was very well supported by Gautam Gambhir&#8217;s anchor knock of 97 in the game. Needless to say, the historic game managed to be the most viewed cricket game in the history of cricket.

India captain Virat Kohli and Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed

<p>Cricket is not just a game for the fans who follow it ardently. It has become synonymous to a religion that they worship. They show great enthusiasm and intensity when certain rivalries take the center stage – be it the Ashes or the India Pakistan rivalry. The temperatures are bound to soar when these sides lock horns. It is often wondered how can one estimate the build up and hype for such rivalries.</p>
<p>One such parameter&nbsp;is by having a look at the numbers that matter. Well, the number of people that tune in for the matches is a clear number to point out which match has been a smash hit. This is similar to the box office collections for the movie releases or the TRP for the television shows. For instance, the Champions Trophy 2017 league stage game between India and Pakistan <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/ct-2017-india-v-pakistan-game-garnered-record-viewership/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>garnered record viewership for the tournament</strong></a>.</p>
<p>When the two sides were set to meet in the finals again, the numbers were expected to be on the rise. The calculations would certainly reveal how successful the final clash ends up being. For now, here is a look at the top 5 most viewed cricket matches in the history of the game:</p>
<h3>5) 2015 WC group game between India &amp; SA — 300 million Unique Viewers</h3>
<figure id="attachment_91121" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-91121" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2016/10/Ravindra-Jadeja-MS-Dhoni.jpg"><amp-img class="size-large wp-image-91121" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2016/10/Ravindra-Jadeja-MS-Dhoni-556x400.jpg" alt="Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni of Indi" width="556" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-91121" class="wp-caption-text">Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni of India. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>When the Indian team clashed with South Africa in the Group B encounter of ICC World Cup 2015, the hype around the game was immense. South Africa were being tipped as the favorites to win the match considering their rampaging form. But it was the <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/india-beat-south-africa-in-the-world-cup-2015-the-best-twitter-reactions/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>MS Dhoni-led side that emerged victorious</strong></a>.</p>
<p>The men in blue posted a mammoth 307 runs in their 50 overs after batting first. Shikhar Dhawan top scored with 137 to his name and was well supported by Ajinkya Rahane’s quick 79. In response, the South African team ended up bundling out for a mere 177 with Ravichandran Ashwin bagging 3/41. </p>
<h3>4) 2015 WC group game between India &amp; Pakistan — 313 million Unique Viewers</h3>
<figure id="attachment_42820" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-42820" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/11/India-vs-Pakistan-2015-World-Cup-After-Match.jpg"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-42820" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/11/India-vs-Pakistan-2015-World-Cup-After-Match.jpg" alt="India-Pakistan series" width="594" height="396" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-42820" class="wp-caption-text">(© Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>The stage was set for the biggest rivalry in cricket to get underway in the pinnacle of ODI cricket in the World Cup 2015. In the group stages, team <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/watch-pakistan-counters-star-sports-indian-icc-world-cup-2015-ad-campaign/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India clashed with Pakistan in a highly anticipated game</strong></a>. MS Dhoni won the toss and had opted to bat first. Opener Shikhar Dhawan hit a fine 73 and Virat Kohli mustered a scintillating on to set the tone for the Indian innings.</p>
<p>Suresh Raina provided the ideal finish with a quick 74 to see the team finish wih 300 runs on the board. In the run chase, team Pakistan were never in the hunt. Skipper Misbah-ul-Haq played the solitary ranger with a 76 to his name as the team bundled out for 224 in 47 overs. It was Mohammad Shami who wreaked havoc with the ball to return with figures of 4/35.</p>
<h3>3) 2017 CT group game between India &amp; Pakistan — 324 million Unique Viewers</h3>
<figure id="attachment_151467" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-151467" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2017/04/Virat-Kohli-11.jpg"><amp-img class="size-large wp-image-151467" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2017/04/Virat-Kohli-11-600x374.jpg" alt="Virat Kohli Inda ICC Champions Trophy" width="600" height="374" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-151467" class="wp-caption-text">India’s captain Virat Kohli (C) shakes hands with Pakistan players. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>Coming in to the Champions Trophy 2017, the stage was set at Edgbaston for the big rivalry between India and Pakistan to take place yet again. As expected, the match saw a <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/edgbaston-cricket-ground-records-highest-ever-attendance-india-pakistan-game/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>record attendance at Birmingham</strong></a>. In the game, the men in blue totally dominated the opposition.</p>
<p>The top four of the Indian batting – Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Yuvraj Singh – scored fifties to see the team post a total in excess of 300 on the board. In the run chase, Pakistani team was seen absolutely clueless as they bundled out under 170 runs to see the Indian team register a 124 run win by the DLS method. </p>
<h3>2) 2011 WC semi-final between India &amp; Pakistan — 495 million Unique Viewers</h3>
<figure id="attachment_67591" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-67591" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2016/05/Gautam-Gambhir-Kamran-Akmal.jpg"><amp-img class="size-large wp-image-67591" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2016/05/Gautam-Gambhir-Kamran-Akmal-584x400.jpg" alt="Gautam Gambhir" width="584" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-67591" class="wp-caption-text">Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir (L) watched by Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal plays a shot during the ICC Cricket World Cup semi-final match between India and Pakistan at The Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium in Mohali on March 30, 2011. AFP PHOTO/Indranil MUKHERJEE (Photo credit should read INDRANIL MUKHERJEE/AFP/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>Arguably the most hyped game of the decade, the Indian team met the arch rivals Pakistan at Mohali in the semi-final game of ICC World Cup 2011. The Indian team saw the batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar top score in the game with a brilliant 85 off 115 balls.</p>
<p>His efforts helped the team reach 260 on the board despite the other batsmen failing to live up to the mark on the day. It was the Indian bowling that lived up to the occasion and defended the below par total. Pakistan bundled out for a mere 231 to hand the men in blue a 29 run win. Indian bowlers shared 2 wickets each to see the team march to the finals. </p>
<h3>1) 2011 WC final between India &amp; Sri Lanka – 558 million Unique Viewers</h3>
<figure id="attachment_87993" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-87993" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2016/10/Indian-captain-Mahendra-Singh-Dhoni.jpg"><amp-img class="size-large wp-image-87993" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2016/10/Indian-captain-Mahendra-Singh-Dhoni-571x400.jpg" alt="MS Dhoni World Cup six" width="571" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-87993" class="wp-caption-text">Mahendra Singh Dhoni hits a six to win against Sri Lanka as teammate Yuvraj Singh reacts during the Cricket World Cup 2011 final. (Photo credit INDRANIL MUKHERJEE/AFP/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>The stage was set for the biggest event of the year back in 2011. The hosts – the Indian team – had marched into the finals of the ICC World Cup. They were up against the co-hosts Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan team posted a sizeable total of 274 on the board riding on a masterly ton from Mahela Jayawardene.</p>
<p>The Indian team needed a record run chase to overhaul the target. Led firmly by MS Dhoni, the Indian team etched their name in the history books as MS Dhoni finished things in style. He was very well supported by Gautam Gambhir’s anchor knock of 97 in the game. Needless to say, the historic game managed to be the most viewed cricket game in the history of cricket.</p>

<p>Cricket is not just a game for the fans who follow it ardently. It has become synonymous to a religion that they worship. They show great enthusiasm and intensity when certain rivalries take the center stage &#8211; be it the Ashes or the India Pakistan rivalry. The temperatures are bound to soar when these sides lock horns. It is often wondered how can one estimate the build up and hype for such rivalries.</p>
<p>One such parameter is by having a look at the numbers that matter. Well, the number of people that tune in for the matches is a clear number to point out which match has been a smash hit. This is similar to the box office collections for the movie releases or the TRP for the television shows. For instance, the Champions Trophy 2017 league stage game between India and Pakistan <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/ct-2017-india-v-pakistan-game-garnered-record-viewership/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>garnered record viewership for the tournament</strong></a>.</p>
<p>When the two sides were set to meet in the finals again, the numbers were expected to be on the rise. The calculations would certainly reveal how successful the final clash ends up being. For now, here is a look at the top 5 most viewed cricket matches in the history of the game:</p>
<h3>5) 2015 WC group game between India &amp; SA — 300 million Unique Viewers</h3>
<figure id="attachment_91121" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-91121" style="width: 556px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2016/10/Ravindra-Jadeja-MS-Dhoni.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-91121" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2016/10/Ravindra-Jadeja-MS-Dhoni-556x400.jpg" alt="Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni of Indi" width="556" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 556px) 100vw, 556px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-91121" class="wp-caption-text">Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni of India. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>When the Indian team clashed with South Africa in the Group B encounter of ICC World Cup 2015, the hype around the game was immense. South Africa were being tipped as the favorites to win the match considering their rampaging form. But it was the <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/india-beat-south-africa-in-the-world-cup-2015-the-best-twitter-reactions/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>MS Dhoni-led side that emerged victorious</strong></a>.</p>
<p>The men in blue posted a mammoth 307 runs in their 50 overs after batting first. Shikhar Dhawan top scored with 137 to his name and was well supported by Ajinkya Rahane&#8217;s quick 79. In response, the South African team ended up bundling out for a mere 177 with Ravichandran Ashwin bagging 3/41. </p>
<h3>4) 2015 WC group game between India &amp; Pakistan — 313 million Unique Viewers</h3>
<figure id="attachment_42820" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-42820" style="width: 594px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/11/India-vs-Pakistan-2015-World-Cup-After-Match.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-42820" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/11/India-vs-Pakistan-2015-World-Cup-After-Match.jpg" alt="India-Pakistan series" width="594" height="396" sizes="(max-width: 594px) 100vw, 594px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-42820" class="wp-caption-text">(© Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>The stage was set for the biggest rivalry in cricket to get underway in the pinnacle of ODI cricket in the World Cup 2015. In the group stages, team <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/watch-pakistan-counters-star-sports-indian-icc-world-cup-2015-ad-campaign/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India clashed with Pakistan in a highly anticipated game</strong></a>. MS Dhoni won the toss and had opted to bat first. Opener Shikhar Dhawan hit a fine 73 and Virat Kohli mustered a scintillating on to set the tone for the Indian innings.</p>
<p>Suresh Raina provided the ideal finish with a quick 74 to see the team finish wih 300 runs on the board. In the run chase, team Pakistan were never in the hunt. Skipper Misbah-ul-Haq played the solitary ranger with a 76 to his name as the team bundled out for 224 in 47 overs. It was Mohammad Shami who wreaked havoc with the ball to return with figures of 4/35.</p>
<h3>3) 2017 CT group game between India &amp; Pakistan — 324 million Unique Viewers</h3>
<figure id="attachment_151467" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-151467" style="width: 600px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2017/04/Virat-Kohli-11.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-151467" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2017/04/Virat-Kohli-11-600x374.jpg" alt="Virat Kohli Inda ICC Champions Trophy" width="600" height="374" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-151467" class="wp-caption-text">India&#8217;s captain Virat Kohli (C) shakes hands with Pakistan players. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>Coming in to the Champions Trophy 2017, the stage was set at Edgbaston for the big rivalry between India and Pakistan to take place yet again. As expected, the match saw a <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/edgbaston-cricket-ground-records-highest-ever-attendance-india-pakistan-game/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>record attendance at Birmingham</strong></a>. In the game, the men in blue totally dominated the opposition.</p>
<p>The top four of the Indian batting &#8211; Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Yuvraj Singh &#8211; scored fifties to see the team post a total in excess of 300 on the board. In the run chase, Pakistani team was seen absolutely clueless as they bundled out under 170 runs to see the Indian team register a 124 run win by the DLS method. </p>
<h3>2) 2011 WC semi-final between India &amp; Pakistan — 495 million Unique Viewers</h3>
<figure id="attachment_67591" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-67591" style="width: 584px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2016/05/Gautam-Gambhir-Kamran-Akmal.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-67591" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2016/05/Gautam-Gambhir-Kamran-Akmal-584x400.jpg" alt="Gautam Gambhir" width="584" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-67591" class="wp-caption-text">Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir (L) watched by Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal plays a shot during the ICC Cricket World Cup semi-final match between India and Pakistan at The Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium in Mohali on March 30, 2011. AFP PHOTO/Indranil MUKHERJEE (Photo credit should read INDRANIL MUKHERJEE/AFP/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>Arguably the most hyped game of the decade, the Indian team met the arch rivals Pakistan at Mohali in the semi-final game of ICC World Cup 2011. The Indian team saw the batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar top score in the game with a brilliant 85 off 115 balls.</p>
<p>His efforts helped the team reach 260 on the board despite the other batsmen failing to live up to the mark on the day. It was the Indian bowling that lived up to the occasion and defended the below par total. Pakistan bundled out for a mere 231 to hand the men in blue a 29 run win. Indian bowlers shared 2 wickets each to see the team march to the finals. </p>
<h3>1) 2011 WC final between India &amp; Sri Lanka &#8211; 558 million Unique Viewers</h3>
<figure id="attachment_87993" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-87993" style="width: 571px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2016/10/Indian-captain-Mahendra-Singh-Dhoni.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-87993" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2016/10/Indian-captain-Mahendra-Singh-Dhoni-571x400.jpg" alt="MS Dhoni World Cup six" width="571" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 571px) 100vw, 571px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-87993" class="wp-caption-text">Mahendra Singh Dhoni hits a six to win against Sri Lanka as teammate Yuvraj Singh reacts during the Cricket World Cup 2011 final. (Photo credit INDRANIL MUKHERJEE/AFP/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>The stage was set for the biggest event of the year back in 2011. The hosts &#8211; the Indian team &#8211; had marched into the finals of the ICC World Cup. They were up against the co-hosts Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan team posted a sizeable total of 274 on the board riding on a masterly ton from Mahela Jayawardene.</p>
<p>The Indian team needed a record run chase to overhaul the target. Led firmly by MS Dhoni, the Indian team etched their name in the history books as MS Dhoni finished things in style. He was very well supported by Gautam Gambhir&#8217;s anchor knock of 97 in the game. Needless to say, the historic game managed to be the most viewed cricket game in the history of cricket.</p>

Here is a look at the top 5 most viewed cricket matches in the history of the game.

Top 5 most viewed cricket matches

Cricket is not just a game for the fans who follow it ardently. It has become synonymous to a religion that they worship. They show great enthusiasm