The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup is the most prestigious tournament in one-day international (ODI) cricket. It is conducted every four years and comprises the best 10 teams in the globe. The World Cup is regarded for generating some of the most dramatic and high-scoring contests in cricket history. In this article, we will look at the greatest score in an innings in each World Cup edition.
1)1992 World Cup :Sri Lanka 313/7 versus Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe batted first in the 1992 Cricket World Cup match between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, scoring 312 runs in 50 overs while losing four wickets. On 115 runs, Andy Flower continued to stay undefeated. In retaliation, Sri Lanka amassed 313 runs for the cost of seven wickets in 49.2 overs to successfully chase down the total. Athula Samarasekera scored 75 runs, and Roshan Mahanama scored 59. Arjuna Ranatunga led Sri Lanka to win with a score of 88 runs. This was the first ODI squad to successfully chase a 300-run or higher target. With four balls left, Sri Lanka had three wickets to win the game.
2)ICC World Cup 1996: Sri Lanka 398/5 vs Kenya
With Sanath Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluwitharana leading the charge at the top. On March 6, 1996, it was that kind of a day when Jayasuriya (44) and Kaluwitharana (33) gave their team a strong start, Asanka Gurusinha stepped in at No. 3 and hammered 84, and De Silva and Ranatunga finished off the Kenyans with a 106-run stand to put an end to their hopes of a comeback. De Silva needed 92 balls to get to his century before being dismissed for 145. Sri Lanka attained the highest score in ODI history at the time thanks to Ranatunga’s unbeaten 40-ball 75, which included 13 fours and a six. Kenya scored 254/7, but Sri Lanka defeated them by 144 runs.
3)ICC World Cup 1999: India 373/6 vs Sri Lanka
The seventh World Cup was contested in England, Ireland, Scotland and Netherlands in 1999 and featured twelve nations. India faced Sri Lanka in the Super Six stage at Taunton and achieved a magnificent total of 373/6 in 50 overs, which was then the greatest score in World Cup history. Rahul Dravid struck a brilliant 145 off 129 balls, while Sourav Ganguly scored a splendid 183 off 158 balls, which remains the best individual score by an Indian in ODIs. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 216 in reply, giving India a big win by 157 runs.
4)ICC World Cup 2003: Australia 359/2 vs India
The eighth World Cup was contested in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya in 2003 and featured fourteen nations. Australia faced India in the final at Johannesburg and made a magnificent total of 359/2 in 50 overs, which was then the biggest score in World Cup history. Adam Gilchrist struck a magnificent 57 off 48 balls, while Ricky Ponting played a masterful innings of 140* off 121 balls, which remains the highest individual score in a World Cup final. Damien Martyn also produced a great knock of 88* off 84 balls. India were knocked out for 234 in reply, giving Australia a stunning win by 125 runs and their third World Cup title.
5)ICC World Cup 2007: India 413/5 versus Bermuda
The ninth World Cup was held in the West Indies in 2007 and featured sixteen nations. India met Bermuda in the group stage at Port of Spain and struck a massive total of 413/5 in 50 overs, which was then the biggest score in ODI history. Virender Sehwag hit a superb 114 off 87 balls, while Sourav Ganguly (89), Yuvraj Singh (83), Sachin Tendulkar (57*) and Rahul Dravid (29*) also played well. Bermuda were knocked out for 156 in reply, giving India a tremendous win by 257 runs.
6)ICC World Cup 2011: India 370/4 vs Bangladesh
The tenth World Cup was contested in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in 2011 and featured fourteen nations. India met Bangladesh in the opening encounter at Mirpur and achieved a tremendous total of 370/4 in 50 overs, which was then the biggest score in World Cup history. Virender Sehwag produced a brilliant 175 off 140 balls, while Virat Kohli scored a classy 100* from 83 balls, which was his maiden ODI century. Gautam Gambhir (39) and Yuvraj Singh (15*) also played effectively. Bangladesh were reduced to 283/9 in their pursuit, giving India an easy win by 87 runs.
7)ICC World Cup 2015: Australia 417/6 vs Afghanistan
The eleventh World Cup was held in Australia and New Zealand in 2015 and featured fourteen teams. Australia met Afghanistan in the group stage at Perth and struck a massive total of 417/6 in 50 overs, which is still the biggest score in ODI history. David Warner hit a magnificent 178 off 133 balls, while Steven Smith (95), Glenn Maxwell (88) and James Faulkner (24*) all played superbly. Afghanistan were knocked out for 142 in reply, giving Australia a tremendous win by 275 runs.
8)ICC World Cup 2019: England 397/6 vs Afghanistan
The twelfth World Cup was contested in England and Wales in 2019 and featured ten nations. England faced Afghanistan in the group stage at Manchester and achieved a massive total of 397/6 in 50 overs, which is still the best score in World Cup history. Eoin Morgan hit a superb 148 off 71 balls, which featured a record-breaking 17 sixes. Jonny Bairstow (90), Joe Root (88) and Moeen Ali (31*) all played nicely. Afghanistan were reduced to 247/8 in their pursuit, giving England a comfortable win by 150 runs.
These are the highest score in an innings in each World Cup edition so far. The next World Cup is slated to commence on October 5th and conclude on November 19th, 2023. It will be intriguing to see if any side can break the record of Australia’s 417/6 or if any batter can surpass Ricky Ponting’s 140* or Sourav Ganguly’s 183.
