India v Australia, Ahmedabad (2011 World Cup)
India were favorites to win the World Cup on home soil. Australia were three times consecutive World champions. The clash promised to be epic and delivered right as expected.
India opted to bowl first on a flat Motera track and Ricky Ponting made the most of it with a classic Ponting-like century to post a comprehensive 261.
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In reply, India rode on half centuries from Sachin Tendulkar and Gautam Gambhir to edge close but it was Yuvraj Singh 57 not out off 65 balls that guided India home on a very very difficult pitch to bat on.
The victory paved the way for India’s epic semis clash with arch-rivals Pakistan.
South Africa v Australia, Edgbaston (1999 World Cup)
Some call it the best cricket game played ever. Masters of self-destruction, South Africa and eventual World Cup winners Australia played out the game of the Cup with literally every bit of entertainment pumped in.
From massive dropped catches, to Klusener’s brilliant batting at the death to the final ball run-out, the entire story is one of drama and nail-biting finales.
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The match ended tied as the Australian side, led by Steve Waugh, who also scored the most runs for his side on the day, went through to the Final by virtue of finishing higher in the Group stages.
England v Australia, Port Elizabeth (2003 World Cup)
Andy Bichel starred for the Aussies in what has been one of the best bowling performances of the Cricket World Cup ever. Having slumped to a paltry 205, Australia needed something special and thanks to Bichel, England slumped to 48-4 and then 114-7.
Bichel then turned up with the bat to score 34 runs, securing victory with two balls to spare. England, in the process, crashed out in the group stages, as they compromised points for not playing in Zimbabwe.
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The match stands out for the grit and determination showed by the Aussies with all odds stacked against them, a characteristic that made them eventual Champions in South Africa.
India v Pakistan, Centurion, South Africa (2003 World Cup)
We’re talking about World Cup games, games that matter and how can we ignore a famous Indo-Pakistan clash. Pakistan had to win to progress in the World Cup while India had registered a place in the knock-outs.
Saeed Anwar, like so often against India, flew off the blocks, smashing a century. A total of 273 looked defendable, especially with Wasim, Waqar and Shoaib Akhtar in the tank.
However, what happened next was unexpected as Little Master Sachin Tendulkar played one of the innings of his illustrious career. Sachin and Shoaib collided like hot oil and water and drama unfolded.
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Words were mouthed, expressions were blatant and emotions were raw. Shoaib dismissed Tendulkar, not before he had launched a serial attack to score 98 from just 75 balls. The cult that Sachin is, this match defines him all the more.
South Africa v Sri Lanka, Durban (2003 World Cup)
South Africa were hosting the World Cup for the first time and they were straightaway in trouble. The Proteas needed a win to keep the Kenyans out of the knock-outs and progress themselves. They came up against a Sri Lankan team determined to make a mark after the 1999 disaster.
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The match was full of drama and what unfolded in the end was unbelievable. After Sri Lanka had batted, South Africa chased, only for their innings to be interrupted by rain.
The D/L method came into play, reduced the target, made things tougher for the home side. The match ended tied as Mark Boucher slipped and could not complete a final run.
Truly fascinating!