From India's 1983 triumph to Ireland stunning England in 2011, top 5 upsets in ODI World Cup history

The ICC World Cup 2023 continues to deliver shocking surprises. Following Afghanistan's triumph over defending champions England, the Dutchmen's recent victory over South Africa marks another unexpected turn in the tournament.

Netherlands claimed a remarkable 38-run win against South Africa in the World Cup match on October 17, 2023, leaving cricket enthusiasts stunned.

The ODI World Cup has seen its fair share of surprising victories that have captivated cricket fans worldwide. From India's legendary win in 1983 to Ireland's stunning upset against England in 2011, let's explore the top five upsets that have shaped the tournament's rich history.

Here's a closer look at some of the most monumental upsets in the annals of the tournament:

India's triumph over West Indies in the 1983 World Cup

India's maiden World Cup victory, achieved by defeating the formidable West Indies, remains one of the most monumental upsets in the tournament's history.

Under the leadership of Kapil Dev, the Indian team was considered the underdog, whereas the West Indies, at the time, were a dominant force in the cricketing world and two-time world champions.

Defending a modest total of 183, the Indian team, propelled by Mohinder Amarnath (3-12) and Madan Lal (3-31), dismantled the West Indies' formidable batting lineup.

The World Cup triumph instantly propelled the Indian team to national hero status, captivating the entire country in a fervor of World Cup celebrations.

Bangladesh's sensational victory over India in the 2007 World Cup

Bangladesh's victory over India during the group stages of the 2007 ICC World Cup stands as another unforgettable upset in the tournament's history.

Despite boasting a star-studded lineup featuring the likes of Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, skipper Rahul Dravid, and MS Dhoni, the Indian team faltered against an inspired Bangladesh side.

Mashrafe Mortaza (4/38), Abdul Razzak (3/38), and Mohammad Rafique (3/35) dismantled India's top-order, allowing Bangladesh to comfortably chase down India's modest total of 191 with two overs to spare.

Following this defeat, protests erupted in India, and the team faced significant backlash from disappointed fans, with some even resorting to burning effigies of revered cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar.

Ireland's historic win over Pakistan in the 2007 World Cup

The 2007 World Cup was an eventful yet challenging tournament for Pakistan, culminating in a historic defeat at the hands of Ireland, a match that remains etched in the tournament's history as one of its greatest upsets.

After Pakistan was bowled out for 132, courtesy of Kevin O'Brien's five-wicket haul (5/29), Ireland secured a memorable victory, with a distraught Inzamam-ul-Haq returning to the pavilion after scoring just 1 run in 3 balls.

A few days later, Pakistan Head Coach Bob Woolmer also died of a heart-attack in his hotel room.

The repercussions of this loss were severe, with the Pakistan team enduring the wrath of disappointed fans, leading to significant changes within the team lineup.

Ireland's remarkable victory over England in the 2011 WC

Ireland's exceptional performance continued in the 2011 World Cup as they stunned the cricketing world by defeating England, a victory that echoed their triumph over Pakistan in 2007.

Despite England's formidable total of 329/8, anchored by standout performances from Jonathan Trott, Ian Bell, and Kevin Petersen, Ireland's Kevin O'Brien's century (113/63) secured a thrilling victory with three wickets to spare.

This defeat marked another setback for England, with Ireland showcasing their mettle as formidable competitors in the World Cup arena.

Zimbabwe's upset win against India in the 1999 World Cup

Zimbabwe's stunning victory over India in the 1999 World Cup at Leicester stands as another significant upset in the tournament's history.

Despite India's strong batting lineup, featuring Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, Sadagoppan Ramesh, and skipper Mohammad Azharuddin, the team fell short by a mere 3 runs in their pursuit of 252, with Zimbabwe's Heath Streak (3/36) and Henry Olanga (3/22) dismantling India's batting order.

The match marked the conclusion of Mohammad Azharuddin's World Cup captaincy.