The Unexpected World Cup Upsets: When Minnows Made History
The unexpected World Cup upsets have highlighted cricket’s unpredictability, where underdogs outshone giants to create history.
The Unexpected World Cup Upsets
When minnows made history, they toppled cricketing giants, creating unforgettable moments that became part of the World Cup’s legacy. Here’s a look at some of those remarkable instances when smaller teams triumphed over heavyweights in ICC World Cup history.
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1983: When India Defeated West Indies
It remains one of cricket’s greatest upsets as India bagged its first World Cup title in 1983 against two-time champions West Indies, where India could score only 183 runs in the final. No one scored more than 38. However, India’s bowlers led by Madan Lal (3/31) and Mohinder Amarnath (3/12) dismissed the mighty West Indies for 140. A Kapil Dev catch dismissing Viv Richards marked a critical turning point in the history of Indian cricket.
1996: Kenya Shock the West Indies
Making their World Cup debut, Kenya shocked the cricketing world by defeating West Indies in Pune. Kenya scored a modest 166, with Courtney Walsh and Roger Harper claiming three wickets each. Despite the low total, Kenya’s bowlers, led by Rajab Ali (3/17) and Maurice Odumbe (3/15), dismissed the Windies for just 93 runs. The 73-run victory against the two-time champions was a monumental achievement for Kenya.
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1999: Zimbabwe’s Double Triumph
Zimbabwe sparkled during the 1999 World Cup as it beat both India and South Africa. Against India, a 68 by Andy Flower helped Zimbabwe set a target of 252. Despite Sadagoppan Ramesh’s 55 and Ajay Jadeja’s 43, India missed the mark by three runs thanks to a fantastic spell by Henry Olonga, who took 3/22.
Zimbabwe then went on to beat South Africa, but this time it was the show of Neil Johnson’s all-round brilliance that led them there. His 76 runs and 3/27 saw South Africa fall 48 runs short, and Zimbabwe entered the Super Six stage, proving themselves a giant slayer.
2003: Kenya Defeat Sri Lanka
Co-hosts Kenya scripted history in the 2003 World Cup by upstaging Sri Lanka. Kenya scored 210/9, with Kennedy Otieno scoring 60. Muttiah Muralitharan’s 4/28 put Sri Lanka into a commanding position, but Sri Lanka’s batting lineup was stunned by a magical spell from Collins Obuya, who captured 5/24. Kenya bowled out Sri Lanka for 157 runs and won the match by 53 runs, thus earning a place at the Super Six stage and semi-finals.
2007: Ireland Stunned Pakistan
Ireland will never forget their debut in 2007, when they defeated Pakistan. Overcast skies over Jamaica saw Pakistan collapse for a paltry 132, and Ireland, through Niall O’Brien’s dogged 72, overhauled them by three wickets to make an impact. That was how the team stepped onto the world stage.
2007: Bangladesh upset India
In Trinidad, Bangladesh shocked India in the group stage. Mashrafe Mortaza (4/38) and Abdur Razzak (3/38) restricted India to 191, despite Sourav Ganguly’s 66. Half-centuries from Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Shakib Al Hasan ensured Bangladesh’s five-wicket victory, eliminating India from the tournament.
2011: Ireland Shock England
Kevin O’Brien of Ireland hit one of the best innings in World Cup history against England. Ireland was chasing 327, and they were 111/5 before O’Brien hit 113 off 63 balls, which completely changed the match. The thrilling three-wicket win gave Ireland one of the most memorable World Cup moments.
2015: Bangladesh Knock Out England
Bangladesh ended England’s 2015 World Cup campaign with a dramatic 15-run victory in Adelaide. Mahmudullah’s maiden World Cup century and Rubel Hossain’s four-wicket haul dismissed England for 260, propelling Bangladesh into the quarterfinals for the first time.
These upsets exemplify the underdogs’ grit and determination, showcasing cricket’s inherent unpredictability and timeless charm.
