Harsh Thakor
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In my view the most fiercely contested or enthralling world cups were the editions of 1975, 1987 and 1992.They had fluctuations,ebb and flow and twists and turns like a Hollywood epic.They had games which were cliffhangers and had sensational turnabouts like a 360 degree change of plot .The winners or finalists were not the best of all world cups but from start to end there was an element of unpredictability .
Of the 3 my final vote went for the 1987 edition,played in India and Pakistan.There were upsets in both the semi-finals and the final and almost half the games were cliff-hangers.Australia's 1 run win over India,Pakistan's 1 wicket win against West Indies,England's 3 wicket win v West Indies ,Australia's 3 run win over New Zealand are such examples of games going write down the wire.,with the plot continuously changing.The winners of such matches snatched victories from the brink of defeat when it looked as though the opponents only had to complete the final rites.The feature of the tournament was the knitting or revival of Australia from just a bunch of talented individual sinto a champion team and the spirit it blazed from the very start.Above all it beat both the favouries India and Pakistan on their home turf.No world cup had games with as much suspense till the very end.
The 1975 world cup was the best one from the point of view of standard of cricket with a great final at Lords, England-Australia semi-final at Leeds and a most enthralling game between West Indies and Pakistan at Edgbaston where Pakistan snatched a 1 wicket defeat after being on the doorstep of a famous win with the Calypsos still 64 runs adrift with only 1 wicket standing.In the leeds semi -final Australia scampered home to a 93 run target after looking down the barrel at 39-6 before a sensational rally by Gary Gilmour.In the final Clive Lloyd played arguably the best ever world cup innings ever to take West Indies to a staggering total of 293-6.Australia made a most gallant chase falling just 17 runs adrift in the end,after a sensational 41 run last wicket stand between Lillee and Thomson.No world cup final was ever played in better spirit.,taking cricketing glory to such a height.Thus cricket at it's ultimate spirit.
The 1992 world cup had a dramatic turn and twist with the ressurection of Pakistan into the scenario rising like a phoenix from the Ashes.Some enthralling encounters like Australia -India,South Africa-England etc in league stage and a sensational turnabout in the semi-final with Inzamam ressurecting Pakistan with the help of Miandad after his side looked in the doldrums.Sadly the England-South Africa semi-final was marred by rain and was technically awarded to England,which with 2 overs looked set to be an all-time classic.
In 4th place I would choose the 2011 edition although favourites India won.India literally lifted itself out of the depths of despair with a sensational turnabout midway and hard-fought wins.There were also thrillers of India-South Africa,India-England and England-South Africa.
My order of merit of most entertaining World cups
1.1987
2.1975
3.1992
4.2011
5.1983
6.1996
7.1999
8.2015
9.1979
10.2007
11.2003
Of the 3 my final vote went for the 1987 edition,played in India and Pakistan.There were upsets in both the semi-finals and the final and almost half the games were cliff-hangers.Australia's 1 run win over India,Pakistan's 1 wicket win against West Indies,England's 3 wicket win v West Indies ,Australia's 3 run win over New Zealand are such examples of games going write down the wire.,with the plot continuously changing.The winners of such matches snatched victories from the brink of defeat when it looked as though the opponents only had to complete the final rites.The feature of the tournament was the knitting or revival of Australia from just a bunch of talented individual sinto a champion team and the spirit it blazed from the very start.Above all it beat both the favouries India and Pakistan on their home turf.No world cup had games with as much suspense till the very end.
The 1975 world cup was the best one from the point of view of standard of cricket with a great final at Lords, England-Australia semi-final at Leeds and a most enthralling game between West Indies and Pakistan at Edgbaston where Pakistan snatched a 1 wicket defeat after being on the doorstep of a famous win with the Calypsos still 64 runs adrift with only 1 wicket standing.In the leeds semi -final Australia scampered home to a 93 run target after looking down the barrel at 39-6 before a sensational rally by Gary Gilmour.In the final Clive Lloyd played arguably the best ever world cup innings ever to take West Indies to a staggering total of 293-6.Australia made a most gallant chase falling just 17 runs adrift in the end,after a sensational 41 run last wicket stand between Lillee and Thomson.No world cup final was ever played in better spirit.,taking cricketing glory to such a height.Thus cricket at it's ultimate spirit.
The 1992 world cup had a dramatic turn and twist with the ressurection of Pakistan into the scenario rising like a phoenix from the Ashes.Some enthralling encounters like Australia -India,South Africa-England etc in league stage and a sensational turnabout in the semi-final with Inzamam ressurecting Pakistan with the help of Miandad after his side looked in the doldrums.Sadly the England-South Africa semi-final was marred by rain and was technically awarded to England,which with 2 overs looked set to be an all-time classic.
In 4th place I would choose the 2011 edition although favourites India won.India literally lifted itself out of the depths of despair with a sensational turnabout midway and hard-fought wins.There were also thrillers of India-South Africa,India-England and England-South Africa.
My order of merit of most entertaining World cups
1.1987
2.1975
3.1992
4.2011
5.1983
6.1996
7.1999
8.2015
9.1979
10.2007
11.2003
