The ICC Men’s ODI Cricket World Cup is cricket’s most prestigious tournament—a global spectacle that’s been thrilling fans every four years since 1975. From the dominance of the West Indies to India’s rise and Australia’s dynasty, every edition has added a new chapter to the sport’s storied legacy.
Let’s journey through each tournament, chronologically, to understand how this event evolved and shaped world cricket.
1975 – The Inaugural World Cup
Host : England
Winner: West Indies
Runner-Up: Australia
Final Venue: Lord’s Cricket Ground, London
Final Score: West Indies 291/8, Australia 274
The first-ever Cricket World Cup was held in England with matches of 60 overs per side. The West Indies, led by Clive Lloyd, showcased their dominance by defeating Australia in the final. Lloyd’s explosive 102 off 85 balls was instrumental in setting a formidable total. Australia fought valiantly but fell short by 17 runs.
1979 – West Indies Retain the Title
Host: England
Runner-Up: England
Final Venue: Lord’s Cricket Ground, London
Final Score: West Indies 286/9, England 194
The West Indies continued their supremacy in the second edition. Viv Richards played a masterful innings, scoring 138*, propelling the team to a challenging total. England’s chase faltered, and they were bowled out for 194, handing the West Indies a 92-run victory.
1983 – India’s Historic Triumph
Host: England
Winner: India
Runner-Up: West Indies
Final Venue: Lord’s Cricket Ground, London
Final Score: India 183, West Indies 140
India, under Kapil Dev’s leadership, achieved a monumental victory against the two-time defending champions. Defending a modest total of 183, India’s bowlers, led by Mohinder Amarnath and Madan Lal, dismantled the West Indies batting lineup, securing a 43-run win and their first World Cup title.
1987 – Australia’s Maiden Cricket World Cup Victory
Hosts: India & Pakistan
Winner: Australia
Runner-Up: England
Final Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Final Score: Australia 253/5, England 246/8
The World Cup ventured outside England for the first time, co-hosted by India and Pakistan. Australia clinched their first title in a nail-biting final against England. David Boon‘s 75 anchored Australia’s innings, and their bowlers held their nerve to win by 7 runs.
1992 – Pakistan’s Glorious Run
Hosts: Australia & New Zealand
Winner: Pakistan
Runner-Up: England
Final Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground
Final Score: Pakistan 249/6, England 227
The 1992 edition introduced colored clothing, white balls, and day-night matches. Pakistan, led by Imran Khan, overcame early setbacks to reach the final. In the final, Wasim Akram‘s all-round performance and a solid team effort led Pakistan to a 22-run victory.
1996 – Sri Lanka’s Fairy Tale
Host: India, Pakistan & Sri Lanka
Winner: Sri Lanka
Runner-Up: Australia
Final Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Final Score: Australia 241, Sri Lanka 245/3
Sri Lanka, co-hosts of the tournament, showcased aggressive batting strategies and easily chased Australia’s total. Aravinda de Silva‘s unbeaten 107 was pivotal in their 7-wicket win, marking Sri Lanka’s first World Cup triumph.
1999 – Australia’s Dominance in the Cricket World Cup Begins
Host: England
Winner: Australia
Runner-Up: Pakistan
Final Venue: Lord’s Cricket Ground, London
Final Score: Pakistan 132, Australia 133/2
Australia began their era of dominance with a comprehensive 8-wicket victory over Pakistan. Shane Warne’s exceptional bowling in the semi-final and final was instrumental in Australia’s success.
2003 – Australia’s Unbeaten Run in Cricket World Cup
Host: South Africa, Zimbabwe & Kenya
Winner: Australia
Runner-Up: India
Final Venue: Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
Final Score: Australia 359/2, India 234
Australia, led by Ricky Ponting, remained unbeaten throughout the tournament. Ponting’s blistering 140* in the final set a daunting target, and India’s chase never gained momentum, resulting in a 125-run defeat.
2007 – Australia’s Hat-Trick
Host: West Indies
Winner: Australia
Runner-Up: Sri Lanka
Final Venue: Kensington Oval, Barbados
Final Score: Australia 281/4, Sri Lanka 215/8
Australia achieved a historic third consecutive cricket World Cup win. Adam Gilchrist’s explosive 149 in the final was the cornerstone of their 53-run victory (D/L method) over Sri Lanka.
2011 – India’s Second Title
Host: India, Sri Lanka & Bangladesh
Winner: India
Runner-Up: Sri Lanka
Final Venue: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Final Score: Sri Lanka 274/6, India 277/4
India, under MS Dhoni‘s captaincy, lifted the World Cup after 28 years. Gautam Gambhir‘s 97 and Dhoni’s unbeaten 91, capped with a six to seal the win, led India to a 6-wicket victory, sparking nationwide celebrations.
2015 – Australia’s Fifth Title
Host: Australia & New Zealand
Winner: Australia
Runner-Up: New Zealand
Final Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground
Final Score: New Zealand 183, Australia 186/3
Co-hosts Australia and New Zealand reached the final, with Australia dominating the match. Mitchell Starc’s early dismissal of Brendon McCullum set the tone, and Australia chased the target comfortably, winning by 7 wickets.
2019 – England’s Maiden Cricket World Cup Victory
Host: England & Wales
Winner: England
Runner-Up: New Zealand
Final Venue: Lord’s Cricket Ground, London
Final Score: England 241, New Zealand 241/8
In one of the most dramatic finals, the match ended in a tie, leading to a Super Over, which also tied. England clinched their first World Cup title based on the boundary count rule, having hit more boundaries than New Zealand.
2023 – Australia’s Sixth Cricket World Cup Title
Host: India
Winner: Australia
Runner-Up: India
Final Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
Final Score: India 240, Australia 241/4
Australia secured their sixth cricket World Cup title by defeating India in the final. Travis Head’s brilliant 137 anchored the chase, leading to a 6-wicket victory. Virat Kohli was named Player of the Tournament for his 765 runs, and Mohammed Shami was the leading wicket-taker with 24 wickets.
World Cup Winners List (1975–2023)
| Year | Winner | Runner-Up | Host(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | West Indies | Australia | England |
| 1979 | West Indies | England | England |
| 1983 | India | West Indies | England |
| 1987 | Australia | England | India & Pakistan |
| 1992 | Pakistan | England | Australia & New Zealand |
| 1996 | Sri Lanka | Australia | India, Pakistan & Sri Lanka |
| 1999 | Australia | Pakistan | England |
| 2003 | Australia | India | South Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya |
| 2007 | Australia | Sri Lanka | West Indies |
| 2011 | India | Sri Lanka | India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh |
| 2015 | Australia | New Zealand | Australia & New Zealand |
| 2019 | England | New Zealand | England & Wales |
| 2023 | Australia | India | India |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Who has won the most ODI World Cups?
Australia leads with 6 titles (1987, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2015, and 2023).
Q2. How many times has India won the World Cup?
India has won the cricket World Cup twice: in 1983 and 2011.
Q3. Which country hosted the 2023 World Cup?
India hosted the entire 2023 edition.
Q4. Who won the first ICC Cricket World Cup?
West Indies won the first World Cup in 1975.
Q5. What is the next ODI World Cup schedule?
The 2027 edition will be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
