Recalling 5 of the most iconic moments from ICC World Cup 2015
The ICC World Cup is one of the most prestigious cricketing events in the world. The ICC World Cup in 2015 was hosted by Australia and New Zealand which was watched by 1.5 billion people all around the world.
Out of the many grueling encounters, one of the most watched games of the World Cup was the Group A game between India and Pakistan which took place on the 15th of February 2015. The game between the 2 arch rivals was viewed by 288 million people in India alone, whereas the semi-final between India and Australia was watched by 309 million people. The tournament witnessed some great upsets with Ireland and Bangladesh getting the better of the West Indies and England respectively.
The World Cup saw history being made with Afghanistan registering their first ever win in the World Cup and Kumar Sangakkara becoming the first player to score 4 back-to-back centuries in ODIs.
Australia beat the defending champions India in the semi-finals. Australia and New Zealand played the final of the 2015 World Cup which turned out to be a one-sided affair as the Aussies cruised home to win by 7 wickets.
With the World Cup in England around the corner, here's a look at 5 of the most remarkable moments of the 2015 World Cup:
#1 AB de Villiers's unbeaten 162 off 66 balls vs West Indies
The 19th match of the World Cup saw West Indies take on South Africa in Sydney on the 27th of February 2015. South Africa, led by AB de Villiers, won the toss and elected to bat first. The South Africans had got off to a shaky start as they lost their opener Quinton de Kock in the 6th over of the innings.
The second-wicket partnership of 127 runs between Faf du Plessis and Hashim Amla brought South Africa on course for setting up a big total. Chris Gayle was tasked with the responsibility of breaking the partnership, and he did just that, dismissing both the batsmen in the same over. This brought the skipper AB de Villiers and Rossouw to the crease.
When de Villiers arrived at the crease, the score was 146 for 3 in 29.4 overs. What followed was something inconceivable which left the cricketing fans all around the world in awe of the South African skipper who looked to be in a different zone that day.
With Rossouw at the other end, de Villiers went on a rampage as both the batsmen were hammering the West Indies bowlers all around the park. While Rossouw brought his 50 up in 31 balls, the skipper brought his 50 up in 30 balls after punishing Benn for 18 runs in the 40th over.
Prior to bowling the 48th over, Jason Holder had only conceded 40 runs in his 8-over spell which consisted of 2 maidens and a wicket. Holder's 9th over went for 34 runs which comprised four 4s and two 6s as de Villiers became the 2nd fastest centurion in World Cup history.
The last over of the innings was bowled by Holder who got whacked by de Villiers for 30 runs which comprised four 6s and a 4, making de Villiers the fastest player to score 150 runs in an ODI game. The video of his innings of 162 not out in 66 balls is as follows: