World Cup: The 13th season of the World Cup Finals is about to begin, with the final set for November 19th Between India and Australia at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium.
Let’s take a trip down cricket’s memory lane. Cricket has been enjoyed since the 16th century, but the real international showdowns started around 1844.
The very first official test match happened in 1877, marking a significant milestone. Fast forward to 1975, and the World Cup tournament took center stage, captivating fans globally for 12 exciting seasons.
Now, let’s talk about the champions from each season:
This rich history adds a layer of excitement as we gear up for the 13th season, anticipating new thrills, unforgettable moments, and the crowning of another cricket champion on the world stage.
1- In the inaugural 1975 World Cup hosted by England
- West Indies and Australia emerged as finalists.
- West Indies batted first in the final, posting a total of 291 runs with eight wickets down.
- Australia, in pursuit of the target, managed to score 274 runs.
- West Indies secured victory by 17 runs, claiming the championship.
This historic win marked West Indies as the first-ever World Cup champions, setting the stage for their cricketing legacy in the prestigious tournament.
2- In the 1979 World Cup hosted by England
- West Indies and England made it to the finals.
- West Indies won the toss, chose to bat, and set a target of 286 runs with nine wickets down.
- England, in their chase, could only reach 194 runs.
- West Indies secured their second consecutive World Cup title with a 92-run victory.
This triumph in 1979 solidified West Indies’ cricketing prowess, marking another significant chapter in their World Cup journey.
3- In the 1983 World Cup hosted by England
- India and West Indies clashed in the final match.
- India, batting first, set a target of 183 runs.
- West Indies, in pursuit, could only manage to score 140 runs.
- India secured victory by 43 runs, marking a historic win in the final.
This triumph in 1983 is etched in cricket history as India hoisted its flag for the first time in the World Cup, creating a memorable chapter in the nation’s cricketing journey.
4- In the 1987 World Cup hosted by India and Pakistan
- Australia and England competed in the final.
- Australia, batting first, posted a total of 253 runs with five wickets down.
- England, in pursuit, could only manage to score 246 runs with eight wickets down.
- Australia secured a thrilling victory by seven runs in the final match, becoming the champions of the 1987 World Cup.
This win marked Australia’s success in the tournament, adding another glorious chapter to their cricketing history in the World Cup.
5- In the 1992 World Cup, hosted by Australia and New Zealand
- Pakistan faced England in the final.
- Pakistan, batting first, scored 249 runs with six wickets down.
- England, in their chase, was bundled out for 227 runs.
- Pakistan secured a 22-run victory in the final match, clinching the title.
This win in 1992 marked a historic moment for Pakistan in the World Cup, showcasing their cricketing prowess on the global stage and capturing the prestigious championship.
6- In the 1996 World Cup hosted by Pakistan and India
- Sri Lanka emerged as the surprise finalist.
- In the final match, Sri Lanka secured the title by defeating Australia by seven wickets.
- Australia had set a target of 241 runs in the final.
- Sri Lanka chased the target comfortably, losing only three wickets.
This unexpected triumph in 1996 marked a significant moment in cricket history, as Sri Lanka surprised everyone by clinching the World Cup title, showcasing their cricketing prowess on the global stage.
7- In the 1999 World Cup hosted by England
- Australia and Pakistan contested in the final.
- Pakistan, batting first, set a target of 132 runs.
- Australia chased the target comfortably, losing only two wickets.
This victory marked Australia’s second World Cup championship in 1999, showcasing their dominance in cricket and adding another prestigious title to their cricketing history.
8- In the 2003 World Cup held in South Africa
- Australia and India battled in the final.
- Australia, batting first, scored a formidable 359 runs with two wickets down.
- Chasing the target, the Indian team collapsed for 234 runs.
- Australia secured a substantial victory by 125 runs in the final match.
This triumph in 2003 marked Australia’s third World Cup championship, underscoring their cricketing prowess and solidifying their position as a cricketing powerhouse on the global stage.
9- In the 2007 World Cup hosted by the West Indies
- Australia clinched their fourth title, winning for the third consecutive time.
- The final featured Australia against Sri Lanka.
- Batting first, Australia scored 281 runs with four wickets down.
- Chasing the target, Sri Lanka managed 215 runs with eight wickets down.
- Australia secured victory by 53 runs in the final match.
This win in 2007 further solidified Australia’s dominance in cricket, marking their fourth championship and showcasing their consistent excellence on the global stage.
10- In the 2011 World Cup hosted by India and Bangladesh
- India faced Sri Lanka in the final, led by captain Dhoni.
- Sri Lanka, batting first, posted a total of 274 runs with six wickets down.
- India, in their chase, achieved the target comfortably, losing only four wickets.
- The victory marked India’s second World Cup title, with the blue team triumphing by six wickets in the final match.
This win in 2011 was a testament to India’s cricketing prowess, and the leadership of Dhoni played a crucial role in securing another memorable World Cup victory.
11- In the 2015 World Cup hosted by Australia and New Zealand
- Australia secured their fifth title in the 11th season.
- The final match featured Australia against New Zealand.
- New Zealand, batting first, posted a total of 183 runs.
- Australia, in their chase, comfortably achieved the target, losing only three wickets.
This victory in 2015 further solidified Australia’s cricketing dominance, marking their fifth World Cup championship and showcasing their excellence on the global stage once again.
12- In the 2019 World Cup led by England and Wales
- England secured their first title in the 12th season.
- The final match featured New Zealand against England.
- Both teams scored 241 runs in the stipulated overs, leading to a tie.
- The match was decided through a super over, and England emerged victorious.
This historic win in 2019 marked England’s maiden title, showcasing their resilience and determination on the global cricketing stage.
Cricket’s rich history, from West Indies’ inaugural triumph in 1975 to England’s thrilling win in 2019, reflects the sport’s evolution. Each season etches unforgettable moments, showcasing the prowess of cricketing nations. As we anticipate the 13th season, the legacy of past champions adds excitement to the cricketing spectacle.