Cricket World Cup 2023: Top Individual Performances In Tournament History

The ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 in India is just a few days away and so are some of the best cricketing performances ever seen. Come the World Cup, every team and player brings his/her A-game with hopes of capturing the gold. Some of cricket's most impactful, game-changing performances have been witnessed at a World Cup event, highlighting the hunger and preparation of teams and players for the tournament and what a simple golden trophy means to them. A lot of players have immortalised themselves in the history books since the inception of cricket's marquee event.

There have been just a dozen performances that have stood out among thousands because of their impact and value to the team. They are subject to many debates, YouTube videos, memes and serious cricketing conversations worldwide. Here are some of such individual World Cup performances in tournament history that stand out the most:

Gautam Gambhir (97) and MS Dhoni (91) against Sri Lanka (ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 final)

These two are the knocks that brought the World Cup glory back to India after 28 years. India was down at 31/2 against Sri Lanka. But then, Gautam unleashed a calculated counterattack, scoring 97 in 122 balls with nine fours. After Virat Kohli's dismissal for 35, skipper Dhoni walked down the ground and had a match-winning 109-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Gautam. Dhoni ended with 91* in 79 balls with eight fours and two sixes. The heartbreak and sorrow associated with the crushing loss to Australia in the 2003 WC final was washed away with the winning six, finishing off things in style, the Mahi way.

Ricky Ponting (140) against India (ICC Cricket World Cup 2003 final)

Indian viewers worldwide had a sigh of relief when the opening