Which was the best innings ever in a world cup ?

[Harsh Thakor]

This is my list of the best knocks in world cup history combining technical point of view or artistry with impact on their team's fortunes in the world cup. 1.Kapil Dev's 175.no v Zimbabwe in 1983 Swung a lost game 360 degrees literally like a captain saving a sinking ship .After being precariously placed at 17-5,Kapil Dev ressurected India from the grave.He reminded you of a military commander turning a batallion on the verge of certain defeat into a famous victory.It was one of cricket's most exhilirating exhibitions of strokeplay that literally turned India's fortunes and laid the base for India's eventual capturing of the title.Above all it lifted the morale of India like no cricketer ever did for his country in a world cup. 2.Steve Waugh's 120 at Leeds v South Africa Batteld like a great military marshall leading a batallion .From 48-3 chasing a target of 275 runs to win Steve Waugh launched one of the most calculated assaults ever seen in one day cricket.Lucky to get a reprieve from Herschelle Gibbs with the total at 152 Steve played like a great tactician in a game of chess.Few matches displayed mental strength at such zenith.Australia now qualified for the semis. 3.Inzamam Ul Haq's 60 in 1992 semi-final v New Zealand. Reminded you of cake being sliced with consummate ease.Inzamam sent the ball to all parts of the ground with one of the most dazzling exhibitions of strokeplay in a world cup game.Above all he turned the fortunes of his team who looked like veering towards defeat with the nerves of a soldier.Whether cutting,pulling or driving Inzy had the authority of military commander.Of a mere 37 balls Inzamam compiled 60 runs and reversed the fortunes of his team.Pakistan made the finals for the 1st time.One of the best ever knocks to turn the fate of a run -chase or the fortunes of team in winning a world cup. 4.Alvin Kalicharan's 78 v Australia in 1975 Arguably the closest to batting genius in a world cup not even equalled by Viv Richards.Alvin Kalicharan batted with the imagination of a musical soldier and the power of a boxer.He hit Lillee for 35 of 10 deliveries.Kali created the impact of a hurricane. 5.Adam Gilchrists's 149 n.o in the 2007 final v Sri Lanka Looked like a bucaneer or captain steering a ship.In around 192 balls Gilchrist held the bat like an executioner carrying an axe and made the impact of a bomber destroying an airbase.No world cup knock has displayed as much intimidation and above all it won the game. 6.Clive Lloyd's 102 v Australia in 1975 final One of cricket's classics where he destroyed bowing like a tiger tearing it's prey.The most lethal pacebowling duo of Lillee and Thomson were never played better and Lloyd resembled a great emperor in command.The ball was dispatched allover the ground including many good balls.Whether hooking,driving or cutting Lloyd amde the field look like pawns on a chessboard. 7..Sachin Tendulkar's 98 at Centurion v Pakistan Close to the perfect innings like Bradman re-incarnated.One of the most audacious exhibitions of strokeplay ever seen in a world cup.The best balls were lifted over the fence.It blended the grammar of an English professor with the imagination of a poet.Sachin batted like a surgeon and musician blended into one. 8.Ricky Ponting's 140 v India in 2003 final Created an impact of a hurricane or Tornado.Like a Viv Richards re-incarnated. 9.Zaheer Abbas's 93 v West Indies at Oval in 1979 semi-final One of the best exhibitions of batting artistry ever against the great Carribean pace attack.Innings that defined the poetry of batting.Reminded you of amusical composer.When batting with Majid at 176-1 i,with 20 overs left t looked as though Pakistan were coasting home to a huh target of 293 to win the game. 10.Aravinda De'Silva's unbeaten century in 1996 world cup final at Lahore.Aravinda took the bowling attack by the scruff of the neck with a scintillating display of strokeplay that won the game and world cup for Sri Lanka.He combined the skill of an architect with the artistry of a painter and the mental tenacity of a soldier .Defence and attack was brilliantly blended. 11= Collis King's 86 in 1979 final v England and Viv Richard's 138 n.o. More than Viv Richards it was Collis King who shaped the destiny of the 1979 world cup with audacious strokeplay ,scoring 86 of 55 balls.However ultimately it was Viv who carried the mantle so I give both Collis and Viv equal credit. 13.Viv Richards 181 v Sri Lanka Looked like a tornado had erupted in the stadium.The most devastating batting ever in a world cup. 14.Brian Lara's 111 v South Africa in 1996 A scintillating display of batting which turned the destiny of West Indies who seemed certain to be kicked out of the world cup.Mastered a strong bowling attack under great pressure.Lara enabled his side to conquer the champion Proteas team,arguably the best team of the competition. 15.Scott Stryris's 141 v Sri Lanka in 2007 world cup. One of the most dazzling exhibition's of batting in a losing cause in a run chase.Witnessed most spectacular driving all-around the wicket scoring about 60 % of the team's total score. 16.Alan Lamb's 67 n.o versus West Indies at Gujranwala in 1987 Displayed great skill when England needed 91 of 10 overs left with only 3 wickets left.One of the best displays of organization and craft of improvization in a run chase.Ultimately took 34 of the last 3 overs and 13 of the last. 17.MohsinKhan's 70 versus West Indies in 1983 semi-final at Oval One of the best technical displays of batting on sat wicket or against great pace.Mohsin mastered the best pace attack ever non the fastest of tracks like a surgeon and soldier merged into one. 18.Michael Bevan's unbeaten 60 v England Steered Australia home in a thrilling 9th wicket partnership of 70 runs.Masterly improvisation. 19.Mahela Jayewardene's century in 2007 semi-final v New Zealand Brilliant exhibition of technical skill and artistry that won the game. 20.Graham Gooch's 120 in 1987 semi-final v India Brilliant agression against spinners who were unable what length to bowl to.

[Khalpat]

I think you missed Viv Richards 138 not out in 1979 final. Hitting a century in the Final Match surely deserves.

[adi B]

Kapil dev's 175.period

[Gambit]

Aravinda's 66 in the semi-final was better than his knock in the final.

[govinda]

kapil pajji 175

[Number]

Kapil's 175.

[Khalpat]

Best can be debatabale but Sunil Gavaskar's 36 not out in 60 overs will surely be the worst.

[Sidhoni]

91(79)*

[Cricket_Hacker]

91(79)*

98(75)

[Marut]

Kapil dev. No body else had to absorb as much pressure Dev did. He walked in at 9/4 and soon it become 17/5. India were in danger of being bowled out for a sub 100 score and an immediate exit from the WC. That would have been very embarrassing. Kapil dev is known to go after the bowling from the word go, but in this match he played a uncharacteristic knock, and played very sedately till the 45th over or so. Kapil started flaying the bowling only during the last 15 overs, and played sensibly and carefully for nearly 35 overs in the middle. Shows how much he is capable of, if he makes up his mind. Too bad that his stats don't reflect his true abilities with the bat, or the ball. Even at the 45 over mark, India was not out of the woods with the score on 145/8, but Kapil dev was in such flow that Kirmani and Kapil added 126 runs in 16 overs at the end, with Kapil plundering around 100 runs from the last 40 balls he faced. (infact, no other batsman save Richards was capable of playing like this in the 80s) Even with that Herculean effort from Kapil, the match was close and Zimbabwe were in the hunt till they went down fighting and reached 235. A lesser effort from Kapil would have meant sure defeat and exit from the WC before reaching the semifinal. The only argument that may be raised against Kapil's innings is that it came against Zimbabwe, a minnow team. But Zimbabwe team of the 80s was no push over. They beat Australia in their first match in WC 83 and reduced a strong Indian batting line up to 17/5. Their bowling was suited for the English conditions, and they troubled all teams except WI during WC 83. Anyway, once your team is down 17/5, it no longer matters whether the opponent is a minnow or not - the threat of your being bowled out for a sub 50 or sub 100 score is very real at that point, and a great knock in that situation is equal to a great knock against any other top team.

[Shivaji bhonsle]

Harsh thakor is harsha bhogle I think. Read his post once again to realize what I am saying.. Read his no. 4,7,9,10th choices..lol. Only bhogle can come up with descriptions like that..

[Sid_SuhaiL]

Kapil's 175 followed by Gilly's 149

[bowl_out]

I would put the 90 (84) against Australia among the top few as well... One of the best innings of Sachin along with 98 (75)

[bowl_out]

Overall, from the ones I have seen, Ponting's 140, Gilly's 149, Kapil's 175 are the best ones.. Followed by Sachin's 98 and 90, and Steve Waugh's 120

[nevada]

My favorite is Kapil's 175. It is the ODI equivalent of Laxman's 281 in tests. A monumental innings that totally turned around the team's fortunes.

[gaurav92]

Kapil's 175 was brilliant, nothing comes close. Followed by Goddy's 98 v/s Pakistan

[Pakistan]

Steve Waugh 1999 World Cup ton against South Africa was the best in my opinion.

[Desi Cartman]

Sachin vs Pakistan in saf for the way he counter attacked Sachin vs Pakistan, mohali - for the lols. Oh and GG in the final, Steve Waugh in the SF

[tweaker]

My favourite is Kapil 's 175 because this inning was stepping stone towards winning the WC

[Number]

Sachin vs Pakistan in saf for the way he counter attacked Sachin vs Pakistan, mohali - for the lols. Oh and GG in the final, Steve Waugh in the SF

Deserves a mention. Underrated innings.