India v West Indies, Lords (1983 World Cup)
India waited a long time for the second Cricket World Cup to be brought home, after the miracle that happened in 1983. The Finale of the 1983 World Cup was one of the best matches in World Cup history and is still looked back upon by fans and players alike.
Underdogs India played the Final at Lords’ against the mighty Windies, two time World Champions at the time. The general opinion was that the writing was on the wall, however, things chased in the Windies’ chase when they lost skipper Viv Richards to a brilliant catch by Kapil Dev on 31.
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Earlier, the Indian captain, Huryana Hurricane Kapil Dev had played a gritty innings to post a competitive total for the Indians. Things changed in a flash as West Indies’ wickets collapsed and India, led by a brilliant Mohinder Amarnath on the day, coasted to victory.
The Windies might have got home in what was one of the lowest scoring Finals ever, as Malcolm Marshall and Jeff Dujon stung a partnership together after they were reduced to 76/6.
Mohinder Amarnath, who had already scored a fighting 26 off 80 on the day, put his hand up yet again as he dismissed not only Marshall and Dujon but also the well established Holding to rob the two-time World Cup winners of any chance of recovery.
The spell and the wickets still remain as one of the best performances in the context, one that earned him the Man of the Match award.
Australia v India, Johannesburg (2003 World Cup)
Australia versus India always promises a feisty environment and none more than the 2003 World Cup final at Johannesburg. The Indians, riding on twin centuries from skipper Ganguly in the Semis and the Quarters were looking to upset all odds and beat a champion Australian side.
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Led by Adam Gilchrist’s 149, one of the finest ODI knocks ever, Australia displayed a classic batting performance to pile up 349 on the board.
The Indians started poorly but Sehwag’s 82 gave India hope as long as he lasted. With Sehwag’s departure and Dravid running out of partners, India gave up the match and the World Cup to a dominant Australia side that deserved it no less.
India v Sri Lanka, Mumbai (2011 World Cup)
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Sub-continental giants India and Sri Lanka collided in the 2011 World Cup Final In the iconic city of Mumbai at the Wankhede stadium.
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Each side boasted of a hoard of stars, with Indian talisman Sachin Tendulkar playing the second World Cup Final of his life. Sri Lanka batted first, rode on a brilliant century from Mahela Jayawardene to post a competitive total on the board.
In reply, India lost their in-form openers Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag within the powerplay overs. While Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir handled the innings for a bit, this final will be remembered for the bravery and skill of a certain MS Dhoni, who promoted himself ahead of Yuvraj Singh and scored a brisk 91 unbeaten to take the chase out of perspective.
Unsung hero Gambhir top-scored for India with a 97. The sight of Dhoni smashing Kulasekara over long on to bring home India’s only second World Cup still gives goosebumps to cricket fans.
Pakistan v England, Lords (1992 World Cup)
Pakistan were underdogs going into the Final. They weren’t expected to make the play-offs, let alone the Finals. Pakistan climbed and climbed and the Final proved to be one of the biggest giant-killing stories of all time.
England were set a target of 250 by Pakistan after a late cameo by Wasim Akram with the bat to score 33 off 21 balls.
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Akram came back late on to peg the English back with the ball as he got rid of Allan Lamb and Chris Lewis. The match turned on its head and Pakistan coasted to an easy 22 run victory.
This World Cup Final stands true to the World Cup being truly unpredictable and that underdogs do tend to rise above the ordinary at times.
Sri Lanka v Australia, Lahore (1996 World Cup)
Sri Lanka lit up the 1996 World Cup like never before. With swashbuckling opening batting from Sanath Jayasuriya and tremendous bowling performances from Muralitharan and Vaas, the Final had to be something special.
It lived up to it’s reputation as Aravinda de Silva scored a fighting century with help from Asanka Gurusinha and skipper Arjuna Ranatunga to drive the Lankans home.
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The Australians, who had the likes of Damien Fleming, Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne at their disposal, had reduced the Lankans to 23 for 2 before the resurrection work began. The final stands out as one of the best because of its tense nature throughout and how the Lankans overcame the mighty Aussies in Lahore.