The first round of voting is done and we have narrowed the list down to 16 spectacular moments from previous World Cups with eight match-ups drawn up for you to vote and decide the winner.

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The Cricket World Cup Greatest Moments

MS Dhoni six in the final (2011) vs Kevin O'Brien helps Ireland beat England (2011)

MS Dhoni six in the final 

India were crowned the World Cup champions for only the second time in their history on the back of a monstrous six, which came off the willow of their skipper MS Dhoni in the 49th over. The shot was a culmination of a successful home campaign, and was marked by Ravi Shastri’s momentous words from the commentary box, “Dhoni finishes off in style. A magnificent strike into the crowd!”

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Kevin O'Brien helps Ireland beat England

England’s impressive start to the World Cup was halted by a one-man effort in Bengaluru. When Ireland were 111/5 in their pursuit of 328, it seemed as if England had secured five points out of their three games. However, Kevin O’Brien’s 63-ball blitz which yielded 113 runs ensured that Ireland upset their rivals in the final over of the game. 

Ponting pummels India in 2003 final (2003) vs MS Dhoni run out by Guptill direct hit (2019)

Ponting pummels India in 2003 final

Australia’s bright start in the game was temporarily halted by Harbhajan Singh’s strikes in the middle overs, but it only set the stage for an all-time great effort. Ricky Ponting’s bludgeoning 140* helped his side to the highest ever total in a World Cup final, and an eventual thumping win.

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MS Dhoni run out by Guptill direct hit 

MS Dhoni’s fighting knock in the 2019 semi-final came to an end courtesy a brilliant direct hit from the deep. Martin Guptill’s accurate throw ended India’s last hopes of world glory in the 49th over.

With his retirement from the game in 2020, this also became Dhoni’s final international innings. 

Ben Stokes' catch against South Africa (2019) vs Malinga takes four in four v South Africa (2007)

Ben Stokes' catch against South Africa

It mattered little that England were already ahead in their World Cup opening contest against South Africa. Ben Stokes still managed to steal the show by plucking an Andile Phehlukwayo sweep mid-air, while stationed in the mid-wicket region. At first, Stokes misjudged and tilted his body away from the ball, only to pull out his right hand just before the ball flew out of his reach. 

This forced Nasser Hussain to famously exclaim, “No way! No, no, no way! You cannot do that, Ben Stokes!” 

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Malinga takes four in four v South Africa

When South Africa were sitting four runs away from their target with five wickets in hand, their win over Sri Lanka seemed merely a formality.

Enter Lasith Malinga. The sling-actioned pacer took four wickets in four balls to turn the game on its head. While the Proteas managed to scamper to a one-wicket win, the pacer’s effort left its mark on the tournament.  

India v England tie (2011) vs Yuvraj marshalls the chase against Australia (2011)

India v England tie

A great century from the Little Master Sachin Tendulkar was nearly trumped by a magnificent 158 from Andrew Strauss, who brought England close in on a landmark win. 

However, MS Dhoni marshalled his resources well to get India back into the contest at the right time. In the end, a tie felt like a justified result between two evenly matched teams. 

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Yuvraj marshalls the chase against Australia

The India batter was their all-round star in the win against Australia. After picking up 2/44, he came in at 143/3 and helped India out of a precarious situation with an efficient 57* from 65 deliveries. Taking good support from Suresh Raina, he added 74 runs for the fifth wicket to knock out the World Champions. 

Klusener-Donald run-out in the semi-final (1999) vs Ireland upset Pakistan (2007)

Klusener-Donald run-out in the semi-final 

A topsy-turvy thriller, between two of the finest cricketing teams of the 90s, boiled down to the final over, in which South Africa needed nine runs with one wicket remaining. South Africa had their talismanic finisher Lance Klusener on strike while Australia’s skillful seamer Damien Fleming held the ball. At the non-striker’s end was Allan Donald. 

Two balls later, South Africa effectively had one leg in the final after Klusener had hit back-to-back fours. The next ball was a dot, but the Proteas still needed just one off three balls.

Klusener then hit one directly down the ground, but the ball was intercepted by the fielder. However, the all-rounder had taken off even as Donald was caught ball watching. The latter was run out, and Australia got through by the virtue of finishing at a higher place in the Super Six stage. 

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Ireland upset Pakistan

The miracle on St. Patrick's Day remains one of the great upsets in the tournament's history. World Cup debutants Ireland shocked a much fancied Pakistan side and sent them packing from the global event. 

Trent Johnston called it right at the toss, and saw his bowlers deliver a top notch performance. Ireland's batting line-up wasn't the strongest, but a brave Niall O'Brien (72) guided them towards an exceptional win. It was the skipper Johnston who hit the winning runs in the 42nd over to announce Ireland's arrival at the global cricketing stage.

Jonty Rhodes runs out Inzamam (1992) vs Gilchrist walks in the semi-final (2003)

Jonty Rhodes runs out Inzamam

Pakistan were searching for quick runs while chasing a revised target against South Africa. Inzamam-ul-Haq lifted the Pakistan scoring rate with his brisk knock. In the 31st over, a Brian McMillan delivery hit his pads and lofted towards the point region.

Inzamam set off before realising that no run was available. He turned back for the safety of his crease. However, by that time Jonty Rhodes had already snared the ball and raced towards the stumps. He pulled out a flawless dive and stretched out his right arm to crash the stumps before Inzamam could make it.

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Gilchrist walks in the semi-final

In the all important semi-final clash against Sri Lanka, the Australia opener stunned the world by walking off the pitch after edging one back to the keeper without waiting for the umpire's decision. Though Australia eventually went on to win the game, this selfless act won praise from cricket followers around the world.

Tendulkar v Pakistan (2003) vs Kapil Dev's running catch to dismiss Viv Richards in the final (1983)

Tendulkar v Pakistan

India and Pakistan were playing almost after three years, there was much excitement to the game. While Pakistan had dominated the Men in Blue through the 90s, a young India team had grown from strength to strength under the leadership group of Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar.

Tendulkar exemplified India's fearless approach through a fearless 98 from 75. He packed a star-studded bowling line-up around the ground to help India keep their undefeated run against Pakistan in the World Cup intact. 

Kapil Dev's running catch to dismiss Viv Richards in the final

India were eyeing the crucial wicket of Viv Richards during the World Cup final. The West Indies batter had already slammed a quickfire 33 and was taking the game away from India.

When he pulled a Madan Lal delivery towards the mid-wicket region, India skipper Kapil Dev ran all the way back from infield to rush in and take a sensational catch to leave West Indies without their prime batter at 57/3. Within the next 20 runs, the Men in Maroon had lost more than half their side to an inspired India. Kapil's side went onto win the match by 43 runs.

Kapil Dev 175 rescues India from 17 for 5 against Zimbabwe (1983) vs Deflection off Stokes' bat in final over (2019)

Kapil Dev 175 rescues India from 17 for 5 against Zimbabwe

India were stunned by disciplined new-ball bowling from Zimbabwe, and slid to 9/4 and eventually 17/5. Faced with an embarrassing situation against the Chevrons, India needed an inspirational act. That came out of the blade of their captain Kapil Dev. The Haryana Hurricane slammed an unbeaten 175 from 138 balls with 16 fours and six sixes. With support from the tailenders, he got India to 266/8.

Kapil's individual endeavour proved to be the difference between the two sides, as India won the game by 31 runs. 

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Deflection off Stokes' bat in final over of 2019

A World Cup final of close margins was decided by the finest of calls. The game was won by England in the Super Over after they overcame New Zealand. But this wouldn't have been possible but for a deflection off the bat of Ben Stokes in the last over of the England innings. 

Chasing 242, England needed nine off three balls. Stokes hit one in the legside, and was almost caught short off a Martin Guptill throw from the deep. But not only did Stokes make it back just in time, his bat inadvertently deflected the ball towards the boundary. And England ended up getting six in place of the expected two that the batters had ran. They were able to get two off the next ball to secure a tie and force a Super Over. 

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