Ranking the 10 most iconic World Cup moments

From era-defining upsets to drug scandals, the Cricket World Cup has given us some unforgettable moments over the years. Picking the top 10, and then ranking them was a difficult task. As mere fans of the sport, some moments have made us cry while some have given us immense joy. "The World Cup is a very important way to measure the good players and the great ones. It is a test of a great player."- Pele.

The list includes some brilliant individual performances along with some unforgettable incidents during and after the matches.

Of course, there are some honourable mentions for those moments who were not able to make the cut. Somehow, there was no place for Gibbs dropping the 1999 World Cup incident, Ponting's brilliance in the 2003 finals and Chirs Gayle's double ton in 2015 in this list.

On that note, let us relive 10 of the most iconic moments from the Cricket World Cup history.

---

#10 Jonty Rhodes, Inzamam, and the 'Superman' run out (1992)

A moment of World Cup brilliance.

The 1992 World Cup was South Africa's maiden World Cup. They had started off their campaign brilliantly by defeating hosts Australia. This victory was followed by defeats against New Zealand and Srilanka.

In their next match, they were restricted to 211 by Pakistan and all of a sudden South Africa's World Cup dreams were fading away. The silly rain rule gave some hope to South Africa as now Pakistan needed 119 runs off 14 overs with eight wickets in hand. Inzamam held Pakistan's key and was playing well on 48 from 44 deliveries.

Moment

In the 31st over, Inzamam failed to connect and the ball rolled from his pad towards backward point. Inzamam started running for a leg bye, only to get a 'no' call from Imran Khan, the non-striker.

Inzamam on turning saw Jonty sprinting towards his stumps and before Inzamam could make it into the crease, Jonty with the ball in this right-hand thew himself at the stumps to dismiss Inzamam, and give us the greatest World Cup run out ever. South Africa went on to win the game by 20 runs.

#9 Gatting goes for the reverse at the finals (1987)

Gatting's brain fade.

England, the creators of the sport have never won an ODI World Cup. They have reached three finals and lost them all.

The closest they came to winning the prestigious event was in the 1987 Cricket World Cup, where they took on their Ashes rivals Australia in the finals at Eden Gardens.

After restricting Australia to 253-5 England were the favourites to lift the trophy. In reply, England were cruising towards victory as they had moved to 135 for 2.

Moment

Allan Border was at the bowling crease and bowled a nothing delivery. It was well outside the leg stump. Everyone would have expected Gatting (not the most innovative batsman) to leave the ball and get a wide. But, something struck in Gatting's mind and he attempted a reverse sweep. As he failed to connect properly the ball went into the air and the Australian wicket-keeper pouched it with ease.

This was followed by wickets at regular intervals. Australia went on to win the match by seven runs and the World Cup for the first time.

#8 Ireland and Kevin O' Brien stun England (2011)

Kevin O' Brien is delighted after causing a huge upset.

Ireland pulled off an absolute miracle when they defeated England in the 2011 Cricket World Cup. The minnows, Ireland had to chase a daunting total of 328 and almost no one not even the Irish supporters would have given their team a chance. In reply, Ireland slumped to 111-5 after the 25th over.

Moment

A comfortable victory for England appeared a mere formality now. But, O'Brien had other ideas, understanding the need of the hour Kevin started the counter-attack. He hammered six sixes and 13 fours in total and scored an unbelievable 113 runs from 63 balls.

Kevin got run out in the second last over of the chase with Ireland just requiring 11 runs. John Mooney, who was on the other end when Kevin was smashing the English bowlers along with Trent Johnson scored the 11 runs to hand Ireland a historic victory.

#7 2011 World Cup win, a gift to 'God' (2011)

Sachin Tendulkar getting carried around Wankhede celebrating the World Cup win.

After Winning the 2011 World Cup final, India became the first host nation to win the tournament. India chased down Sri Lanka's score of 274 in the finals to win the World Cup after 28 years. Owing to this victory, Sachin's World Cup career in which he played record 6 world cups ended on a high note.

The 'little master' was carried around the Wankhede Stadium, his home ground in Mumbai on the shoulders of his teammates. Virat Kohli explained it by saying " Tendulkar has carried the burden of the nation for 21 years. It's time we carried him on our shoulders"

Tendulkar has the most number of appearances and runs in World Cup history. He ended up with 2278 World Cup runs from 45 appearances with six hundreds.

#6 Herschelle Gibbs hits Six Sixes in an over (2007)

Gibbs hitting the sixth six of the over.

We wouldn't have remembered South Africa's 221 run massive victory against the Netherlands if it was not for Herschelle Gibbs historic batting display. The right-handed opener became the first batsman in the history of International cricket to hit six sixes from an over. Due to rain, the match was reduced to 40 overs a side.

Moment

Dan Van Bungee, a dutch leg-spinner was on the receiving end of this record. Gibbs was well set on 32 from 30 balls and launched an all-out assault on Netherland and Dan Van Bungee. The leg-spinner tried his best to take Gibbs wicket by bowling flighted deliveries. The Short boundaries at Warner Stadium didn't help Bungee's cause as Gibbs smashed him all around the park.

Despite the match being a 40 over a side match, South Africa scored 353 runs at the loss of four wickets. Jacques Kallis also contributed to this total by scoring a magnificent ton.

#5 The silly rain rule ruins South Africa(1992)

The scoreboard reflects South Africa's misfortune (Image: Getty Images)

Alongside being one of the most heartbreaking moments in Cricket World Cup history, this is also one of the most controversial incidents. South Africa were appearing in the tournament for the first time after their exile from International cricket. After defeating several strong opponents like Australia, West Indies Pakistan and India they had made it to the semi-finals of the 1992 World Cup. South Africa had to chase down the English total of 252 in 45 overs.

Moment

The match was moving towards an intense finish with South Africa requiring 22 runs from 13 deliveries. It started raining and there was a 12-minute rain delay. According to the silly rain rule, the two lowest scoring overs of the batting first team should be deducted from the target.

Now, after the target was revised, South Africa required an impossible 22 runs off the last ball. Hence, South Africa's After a lot of controversies over the years finally, this rule was replaced by the current Duckworth Lewis stern in 1999.

#4 Kenya reach the semi-finals (2003)

Kenyan players take a victory lap after reaching the semi-finals of the 2003 World Cup.

In the 2003 World Cup, Kenya accomplished a feat that no other associate had achieved in the past or has achieved in the future. New Zealand's decision of not playing against Kenya turned out as a huge boon for Kenya as they got full points for the fixture.

Alongside defeating minnows like Canada and Bangladesh, Kenya also stunned former World Champions Sri Lanka. Owing to the above mentioned, Kenya reached the Super Six stage. Kenya thrashed their fellow co-hosts Zimbabwe by seven wickets to make it to the semi-finals of the event.

Kenya failed to overcome the mighty Indian team in the semi-finals and lost the match by 91 runs. Despite their semi-final exit, Kenya showed the world and the associate nations can accomplish a lot if they get such opportunities.

#3 Wasim Akram's two in two destroys England in the finals (1992)

Akram's magical over helped Pakistan to clinch the 1992 World Cup.

.Pakistan didn't have the best start to their 1992 World Cup campaign as they won only one out of their first five games and one had been a no result. It seemed as if Pakistan was going to crash out of the World Cup and would fail to reach the playoffs. But, Imran Khan and Pakistan had other ideas.

Pakistan, in their next three matches, defeated Sri Lanka, Australia, and New Zealand to make it to the semi-finals against New Zealand. They overcame New Zealand in a closely fought semi-final clash.

In the finals, Pakistan posted a solid total of 249 in the finals. In reply, England reached a score of 141-4 after the end of the 34th over. With 109 required from 96 balls, the match was evenly poised.

Moment

The white ball had deteriorated and nothing seemed to trouble the well set English batting pair of Allan Lamb and Neil Fairbrother. Imran handed the ball to Akram who decided to go around the wicket. Lamb was on strike.

The ball pitched on the middle stump but somehow managed to straighten and Lamb lost his off stump. The very next ball went through the defense of Chris Lewis and crashed into the middle stump. In these two balls, Akram killed any chances of an English victory and Pakistan went on to win the final by 22 runs.

#2 India defy the odds to win the World Cup (1983)

Kapil Dev is handed over the 1983 World Cup trophy.

There are certain moments in sporting history which are immortal and Kapil Dev holding the 1983 Cricket World Cup on the Lord's balcony was one such moment.

India had already overachieved in the 1983 World Cup when they defeated England to reach the finals of the tournament. In the final, all that stood between West Indies and their hat-trick of World Cups were underdogs India.

In the final, when West Indies restricted India's score to a mere 183 even the most optimistic fans of Indian cricket won't have expected them to win the match.

Moment

West Indies lost their first two wickets within the first 8 overs. West Indies, still the firm favourites reached a score of 57-2 and India's dream seemed to fade away. But, Madan Lal soon gave India hope as he dismissed Viv Richards which triggered one of the greatest collapses in World Cup history.

From 57-2 West Indies slumped to 76-6 and eventually were bowled out for 141. India defied all odds to lift the World Cup, a moment that gave many kids like a reason to pursue cricket as their career and achieve further glory for India.

#1- The Greatest ODI match ever (1999)

Australian players celebrate after holding South Africa to a tie in the 1999 semi-finals.

While people may disagree with the order of the rankings, there can be no argument against the position of this particular moment. This match is regarded by almost everyone who witnessed it live as the greatest ODI ever played. This match had everything, from great batting and bowling displays to never-ending thrill.

In the finals, South Africa won the toss decided to bowl first. Australia got off to a bad start as they lost their first four wickets for a score of 68 and were in a spot of bother before Steve Waugh and Bevan added 90 runs for the fifth wicket.

After the wicket of Waugh, another collapse happened as Allan Donald and Pollock ran through the Aussies lower order, restricting Australia to a mere total of 213 runs. In reply, South Africa got a solid start and reached 43 without losing any wickets. The game took another turn when Warne produced one of the finest deliveries of his ODI career to dismiss Gibbs.

The ball looped and pitched in the rough outside off stump spun a mile and clipped Gibbs off stump. Warne went on to take 2 more wickets in quick succession to reduce South Africa to 61-4. Similar to Australia's inning, South Africa had an 84 run stand for the 5th wicket between Kallis and Jonty Rhodes.

South Africa looked well in control when they required 38 runs from the last 34 deliveries with Kallis and Klusener at the crease. But, again Shane Warne had other ideas, he dismissed Kallis on the last ball of the 45th over.

Moment

Warne's great bowling display and Klusener's great hitting took the game to the last over with South Africa requiring nine of it with just one wicket in hand. Fleming had the ball in his hand. Klusener smashed the first two balls for consecutive fours. Now, South Africa needed only one run from the final four balls.

Steve Waugh brought every fielder in the circle. A tie meant that Australia would progress to the finals as they had won their 'super six' match against South Africa. Australia were devastated the very next ball as they missed a run out opportunity. Now, 1 run was required from 3 balls. On the next delivery, Klusner pushed the ball past the bowler and set off for a single.

Donald had a brain freeze as his feet remained rooted in the crease and when he started running Klusener had already crossed him. Meanwhile Steve Waugh had dived to collect the ball and threw it to Fleming who relayed the ball to Gilchrist, who delightfully uprooted the stumps.

Australia went on to thrash Pakistan in the Finals to win their second World Cup.