No doubt India is one of the most successful teams around the world when it comes to cricket. The world has already seen how the ‘men in blue’ has conquered the throne twice (1983 and 2011). Our country has marked some incredible records in cricket’s biggest tournament. Before India take on South Africa in the first battle of 2019 ICC World Cup, let us rewind and glance through the Indian cricket team records in World Cup.
With each passing year, cricket fans witness many records. The significant tournament, which is in its 12th edition, has seen a lot of top-class performances till date. But there are some records in the World Cup made by Indian cricketers which are simply amazing. Virat Kohli and men will try to make some new records in this edition too. We all love keeping track of records, don’t we? Check out the Indian cricket team records in World Cup.
10Bishan Bedi’s maiden overs
The left-arm orthodox from Punjab, nicknamed as Bishu was part of the famous Indian squad during the 1970s. Bishan Bedi had magical bowling skills and variations. He troubled batsmen with the ball in hand at many instances. In the 1975 World Cup, would you believe, Bedi bowled two maiden overs in a single game against East Africa. From last 12 World Cup editions, this record is untouched. Not a single bolwer has achieved this awe-struck feat in the World Cup.
9Sachin, the God of records
Nearly 50 percent of the records are held by India’s most beloved batsman Sachin Tendulkar when it comes to One Day cricket. He debuted for the national side at a tender age of 16. Sachin has been featured in the World Cups for Men in Blue for six times. He stands alongside Pakistan’s Javed Miandad. Talking about his feats, Tendulkar holds batting records at the tournament – that of most centuries (six), sixes (27), fours (241) and fifties (15).
The Master Blaster is the only person in cricketing world to carve his name on two Man of the Match trophies before the age of 20 in the World Cup. One more record as well as milestone he has reached is: Highest run-scorer in World Cup. Tendulkar is India’s all-time leading run-scorer at the World Cups, knocking 2278 runs in 45 appearances. Sachin also holds the record of scoring most runs in a World Cup (Single edition). Sachin bagged 673 runs in 11 matches in 2003 at South Africa.
8Most catches in a single match
Remember, India’s best fielder in 200s? Yes, we are talking about Mohammed Kaif. He has a record too. Kaif has the most catches in a single match. He has four catches in his bag against Sri Lanka in 2003. The record is shared by Soumya Sarkar (Bangladesh) against Scotland in 2015 and Umar Akmal (Pakistan) against Ireland in 2015. Anil Kumble has held the most catches (14) in all editions.
7Sourav Ganguly’s incredible feats
Fondly known as ‘dada’ of Indian cricket, Sourav Ganguly is in the list for number of records in World Cup. Ganguly had played three World Cup tournaments in blue jersey from 1999 to 2007, captaining the side in the 2003 edition. In the history of tournament, Ganguly holds an exclusive record of involving in three 200+ partnerships. In 1999 World Cup, his first and highest partnership of 318 runs came alongside the ‘Wall’ Rahul Dravid. The second of 244 runs came against minnows Namibia in 2003 World Cup in South Africa with Sachin Tendulkar. The last and third partnership of 202 runs with Virender Sehwag came in 2007 aagainst Bermuda.
Remember Ganguly’s knock of 183 not-out? This came in the World Cup against Sri Lanka in 1999. He holds the record for India’s highest scorer in the tournament.
6Highest average of Indian batsman
Do you ever heard about the batsman bagging runs at an average of 113? Yes, this may sound odd but India’s legendary Sunil Gavaskar holds this unique record. With two not-outs in three matches, he has the highest average of 113 which is not been touched by any other Indian batsman till time. This record came in the year 1975.
5Leading wicket-taker
One man with lethal left-arm swing and other focusing on line and length share this record. Javagal Srinath and Zaheer Khan, country’s most successful bowlers are joint leading wicket-taker at the World Cup, with 44 each. Zaheer Khan’s 44 came from 23 matches whereas Srinath’s total were resulted from 34 matches.
Of Zaheer’s 44 wickets, 21 came during the World Cup 2011 in India which was won by Dhoni and co. He was the highest wicket-taker of the tournament (Shahid Afridi from Pakistan too has 21 wickets in the same edition).
4Best bowling figures
Ashish Nehra, the left-arm fast bowler recorded the best bowling figures for India in the World Cup. He bowled superb spell of 6 for 23 against England at the 2003 World Cup which. Ultimately, India won that match.
3Kapil Dev, Youngest Captain to lift WC
He was the man who changed the face of Indian cricket, he is the man who has given plethora of memories which are still cherished. Kapil Dev, the legendary captain of India brought the India’s first maiden World Cup title in 1983. He was the youngest captain to lift the trophy. He was 24 years, five months, 19 days old. What an achievement at this age!
2India’s successful wicket-keeper
MS Dhoni, the skipper in the 2011 and 2015 World Cup, is India’s most successful wicketkeeper with 32 dismissals. Mahi has held 27 catches and made five stumpings at the tournament.
1India’s biggest win
India’s biggest World Cup win came over Bermuda in 2007 when they beat them by 257 runs. India put up the mammoth total of 413 runs. Courtesy: Sehwag’s blistering 114 in 87 balls. In a return, Bermuda was all-out on mere total of 156.
