ICC Men’s World Cup (1975-2023)

Over the Years, There has been many teams playing Cricket. Cricket is the Second most Popular Sport in the World. Various Legends like Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar, Imran Khan, Wasim Akram and many other legends between the 1975-1992 World Cup had changed the popularity of Cricket. It is one of the Viewed Tournaments Across the World. There has been 12 World Cups played so far, first in 1975 and the last in 2019. Teams have played their best to beat their opponents and be the Champions.

In the first Six World Cup, there were four teams that were Crowned Champions. They were West Indies (1975,1979), India(1983), Australia(1987) and Pakistan (1992). In this Post, I would explain all the Six World Cups History and which team were the Favourites to win the World Cup.

1975 Cricket World Cup- This was the first World Cup of the ICC Tournaments. It was held in England and Wales because at that time they were the only Nation who could afford the expenses of the World Cup. It was also Called as the Prudential Cup because of its Sponsors Prudential Plc. It was a World Cup consisting of 60 Overs Match per Side and the players wearing cricket whites and Red Balls were used. Eight teams Participated in the Tournament that were Australia, England, India, Pakistan, New Zealand, West Indies and the two Associate Nations at that time Sri Lanka and East Africa.

The Teams were divided into two groups of four each. ICC introduced the law that all the balls that were bowled over the Batsman head would be given as Wides. England topped the Group A and West Indies Topped Group B ahead of Australia. At the Semis, Australia met England and West Indies met New Zealand. The final was played between Australia and West Indies. It was the most intense match of the Tournament with West Indies winning by 17 Runs.

The Celebrations of West Indies after beating Australia in the Finals. They were the Tournament Favourites and they had proved the World that they are a strong team. West Indies team holding the World Cup Trophy.

1979 Cricket World Cup- This was the second edition of the World Cup. It was held at England and Wales. There were 8 Teams Participating in the Tournament that were Australia, West Indies, India, Pakistan, New Zealand, England and two teams that had performed exceptionally in the ICC Trophy Qualifiers Sri Lanka and Canada. In this Tournament, the teams were divided into two groups of four each. England played exceptionally well and were the Table Toppers in Group A. West Indies came in the Tournaments as defending Champions and were the Toppers of Group B.

In the Semis, West Indies beat Pakistan and England beating New Zealand. The final was played between England and West Indies. It looked as a one team final because West Indies outplayed England in all the departments. The World saw the worst Collapse ever England losing 8 Wickets for just 11 Runs. West Indies were Crowned Champions and now were the two-time Champions.

1983 World Cup- It was the 3rd Edition in the Cricket World Cup. The Tournament happened in England and Wales. It was full of dramatic cricket all through the Tournament. Eight teams participated in the Tournament that were 7 ICC Full Members and Zimbabwe. The match was of 60 Overs and the Players used to Wear whites. The Teams were divided into two groups of 4 each, with each team playing others in its Group twice. West Indies came in the Tournament as Two-time World Cup Winner. India and Zimbabwe had beaten West Indies and Australia in the Group Stages. West Indies topped the Group B and England had topped the Group A.

In the Semis, West Indies beat Pakistan and India won against England. In the final, West Indies were looking as if they would win there Third Title, but India fought back and won their first title. This win of the Indian team completely changed Cricket’s Popularity and the Sport became famous. Kapil Dev’s Captaincy was exceptional and the catch of Sir Viv Richards completely changed the match. Indian Players were honoured by the Government of India as they were given houses.

1987 World Cup– This was the fourth Edition of Cricket World Cup. It was the first World Cup that was held in India and Pakistan. This Cup came to be known as the Reliance Cup because of its Sponsors. The format was unchanged from 8 Teams being divided into two groups of four each. Overs were changed from 60 to 50. This was a iconic World Cup as India and Pakistan both qualified for the Semis. Both of them losing their matches to Australia and England. The World Cup was won by the Australian Team that had proved the World.

Now, the Australian Team is the most Successful with 5 Titles but winning their first Title was exceptional. It was the final time when the players were dressed in whites and traditional clothes.

1992 World Cup- This was the fifth edition of the Cricket Cup. The tournament took place in Australia and New Zealand. It was the first time that the Cup was happening in the Coloured Jerseys rather than Whites. It is considered as one of the most Successful Tournament. All the Rules were changed and there was 9 Teams in the tournament with each team playing 8 matches. The teams were Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, West Indies, Zimbabwe, England and the Debutants South Africa.

Top four teams qualified for the Semis. New Zealand had one of the best Tournament finishing first in the points table. England won against South Africa in the Semi Final 1 and Pakistan won against New Zealand and reached there first Final. In the final, Pakistan outplayed England and won their first and only title in the Cup History.

1996 World Cup – This was the sixth edition of the World Cup. The tournament was hosted by India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. It was a fascinating tournament and it was the first time when a tournament was won by a host nation. The teams were divided into two groups of six each. Due to threats vin Sri Lanka, teams like Australia and West Indies forfeited their match and Lanka entered the quarterfinal before playing in any match. The four teams that had reached the final was West Indies, Australia, India and Sri Lanka. I still remember the Semis in Kolkata. It was a match that completely changed the fortunes of cricket. The crowd started lightning up fire at the ground.