ODI World Cup 2023
Nations who entered as no. 1 ranked teams in each ODI World Cup
Top ranked ODI teams in each ODI World Cup
It is said that the teams who enter the ODI World Cup as the no. 1 ranked team, are always the favourites to win the title. However, there are only a few times when a team justify their rankings and become the world champion. The rankings showcase the consistent excellence of certain cricketing nations over the years.
Entering the World Cup as the top-ranked team often comes with high expectations. However, as we look forward to the ODI World Cup, it will be interesting to see which team carried the top ranking and how they performed on the global stage earlier.
1987 – England
England in 1987 (Source – Twitter)
England entered the 1987 World Cup as the number-one ranked team. They even reached the finals but were defeated by Australia and ended as the runners-up while the Kangaroos lifted the coveted trophy for the first time.
1992 – Australia
Australia in 1992 (Source – Twitter)
Australia was the top-ranked team in the 1992 World Cup. However, they couldn’t justify their ranking by winning the tournament and were eliminated in the group stage only. Pakistan lifted the trophy in 1992.
1996 – Australia
Australia in 1996 (Source – Twitter)
Australia entered the 1996 World Cup as the number-one ranked team. They reached the final but were defeated by Sri Lanka and fell just one step before winning the coveted trophy.
1999 – South Africa
South Africa in 1999 (Source – Twitter)
South Africa came into the 1999 World Cup as the top-ranked team. However, they faced a heartbreaking exit in the semifinals against Australia. The Proteas are known as the chokers in the major world tournaments. They have faced multiple defeats whenever they get close to winning the tournament. Australia were the winner of the tournament that year.
2003 – Australia
Australia in 2003 (Source – Twitter)
Australia was the number-one-ranked team in the 2003 World Cup and went on to win the tournament under Ricky Ponting’s leadership. It was the first time that a No. 1 ranked ODI team won the ODI World Cup.
2007 – Australia
Australia in 2007 (Source – Twitter)
Once again, Australia entered the 2007 World Cup as the top-ranked team and won their third consecutive title. They became the first team to win the World Cup third consecutive time ever.
2011 – Australia
Australia in 2011 (Source – Twitter)
Australia was dominating the cricket field and once again entered as the top-ranked team in the 2011 World Cup but was knocked out in the quarterfinals by India, who lifted their 2nd World Cup title under MS Dhoni.
2015 – Australia
Australia in 2015 (Source – Twitter)
Australia was the top-ranked team as they entered the 2015 World Cup and they successfully justified their rankings by winning the title for the 5th time which is still the highest by any team.
2019 – England
England in 2019 (Source – Twitter)
England was the number-one-ranked team in the 2019 World Cup. They were also the favourites to win the major world tournament and eventually won the title in a thrilling final against New Zealand.
