Top 5 Upsets in Cricket World Cups That Shocked Fans

India v West Indies, Lords (1983 World Cup)

West Indies were two time reigning champions, unbeaten in the World Cup so far, they had the likes of Viv Richards, Andy Roberts and Joel Garner in their ranks.

This was scripted to be a historic day for West Indian cricket as they would complete a hat trick of World Cup titles at the iconic Lords in England. But, things didn’t go according to plan.

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India batted first, rode on Kapil Dev’s half-century to post a meagre 183 on the board. West Indies looked set to chase it down. However, after Viv Richards mistimed a hook shot off Mohinder Amarnath, and Kapil Dev took a stunning catch, things changed it’s course. Lady luck shone on India as Mohinder Amarnath led the bowling to skittle out the mighty Windies for 140 odd runs.

India clinched their first World Cup in the most extraordinary of circumstances.

Zimbabwe v Australia, Trent Bridge (1983 World Cup)

Another gem in the 1983 World Cup, Zimbabwe stunned Australia in their first game of the tournament as the mighty Kangaroos, whose team comprised of legendary names viz. Allan Border, Jeff Thompson and Dennis Lillie suffered a shock defeat by 7 runs.

Duncan Fletcher led the show for the African debutants, as Fletcher scored an unbeaten 69 to post a competitive 239 on the board, all this after being reduced to 94/5.

Fletcher came back to hurt the Aussies with the ball as he picked up 4 wickets to restrict the favorites. Zimbabwe couldn’t have had a better introduction to World Cup cricket as this victory paved the way for generations of cricketers to come.

Kenya v Sri Lanka, Nairobi (2003 World Cup)

The 2003 World Cup was marred in controversy for different reasons. Be it New Zealand’s decision to not travel to Nairobi or the final itself where Australia beat India. However, what was pure magic was Sri Lanka’s shock defeat at the hands of the home nation Kenya at the Gymkhana Ground in Nairobi.

World Champions in 1996, the Sri Lankan team, studded with stars fell at the hands of an inspired Kenyan team. Although Sri Lanka did bowl well, restricting the Kenyans to 210 in 50 overs, it was leg-spinner Collins Obuya who scalped 5 wickets to help Kenya register a 53 runs victory, one that shaped the rest of the World Cup for the Lankans.

Ireland v England, Bangalore (2011 World Cup)

It is going to be all about Ireland from now on, we warn you! Ireland had shown in previous World Cups that they couldn’t be taken lightly, but England couldn’t have imagine that they would slump to a shock defeat even after putting up 327 batting first.

The Irish rode on one of the best one-day knocks ever, Kevin O’Brein scoring 113 off 63 deliveries to overcome the total, which also became the highest World Cup total to be overhauled at the time.

Ireland v Pakistan, Jamaica (2007 World Cup)

Again Ireland. The Irish were still an Associate Nation when they delivered the shock loss of the decade as a massively talented Pakistan team fell at Sabina Park, Jamaica.

This match is remembered more for off-field incidents than on-field ones, as Pakistan lost coach Bob Woolmer to a heart attack and skipper Inzamam ul-Haq went into retirement. It was St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland and the Irish celebrated in style as Boyd Rankin led the attack with 3 scalps to his name. Neil O’Brian smashed the Pakistan bowlers to chase down a revised 127 after rain interrupted play.

This game is remembered for all the wrong and the right reasons, but in ways more than one, was the biggest upset of World Cup matches through time.