Top five knocks that would’ve changed history in World cup tournaments

Cricket is a game of ifs and buts with the ability to turn games in the split of a second. There are some moments in the game where fans don’t let their hopes down because of the presence of a ‘fighter’ at the crease. But despite giving their all in the game, some players aren’t able to take their teams over the line breaking hearts of many fans. There’ve been many instances when big stars failed on a grand stage in cricket. What if they had fired that day and taken their team over the line? Here’s a list of top five knocks that would’ve changed history in World tournaments of cricket:

MS Dhoni’s hundred in 2019 WC Semi-final

MS Dhoni (Source: Twitter)

MS Dhoni walked in to bat at the score of 71/5 chasing a total of 240 for victory at the grand stage of the semi-final in the 2019 ODI World Cup. Batting in the game that was just three days after his birthday, fans would’ve got the perfect treat from the world cup winning captain had he scored a hundred that day.

The knock would’ve helped India reach one step closer to winning their third world cup and the ‘captain cool’ would’ve got a perfect farewell to his international career. Fans would’ve gone bananas seeing their favourite finisher at work all over again in the final days of his career.

Virat Kohli’s hundred in the 2015 WC semi-final

Virat Kohli (Source: Twitter)

India were on a roll in the 2015 world cup leading to the semi-final. They had picked up all ten wickets of their opposition in all their matches as they looked determined to defend their title. The ‘Men in Blue’ were up against the hosts Australia in the semi-finals and were chasing 329 to seal a spot in the final and announce their dominance in international cricket.

After having a perfect start to their chase, all eyes were set on the star batter Virat Kohli as he faced his rival Mitchell Johnson in the biggest match of his career so. The modern chase master would’ve lit up the SCG with his hundred in the all-important match and further stamp his authority as the best batter in modern cricket. The knock would’ve turned out to be his best in his career as he played some majestic shots all over the ground.

Rohit Sharma’s hundred in the 2017 Champions Trophy final

Rohit Sharma (Source: Twitter)

India were up against their arch-rivals Pakistan in the final of the Champions Trophy 2017 as they aimed to win the coveted title second consecutive time. They were set a target of 339 runs to win in the final and with the kind of batting lineup India had, it looked to be a walk in the park.

India had the world’s best white ball opener Rohit Sharma at the crease who was the only man in the history of ODI cricket to have scored two double hundreds. Fans would’ve given their everything to see the elegant opener smash Pakistan bowlers all around the ground as he set up a memorable victory for his team. Rohit’s pulls would’ve got the entire stadium roaring as India would win their first trophy under the leadership of Virat Kohli.

Brendon Mccullum’s hundred in the 2015 WC Final

Brendon Mccullum (Source: Twitter)

New Zealand had a dream run in the 2015 world cup leading up to the finals. They were the only unbeaten team in the tournament as they faced Australia in the most important encounter of their history.

New Zealand Captain Brendon Mccullum had given blistering starts to his team so far in the tournament as he took the opposition bowlers to the cleaners right from the word go. He was facing the best bowler of the world cup Mitchell Starc in the first over. The crowd would’ve gone insane seeing Mccullum in his usual explosive mood ripping apart the best bowler of the tournament. His hundred would’ve set up the game nicely for the Kiwis and got them to a huge total in the finals and closer to an ever-elusive world cup title.

Rishabh Pant’s hundred in the WTC final 2021

Rishabh Pant (Source: Twitter)

India stormed into the first ever final of the World Test Championship and were firm favourites to be crowned champions. They were going really well in the first innings at 149/3 but suddenly lost their captain Virat Kohli. In walked, the flamboyant Rishabh Pant who had suddenly risen to the limelight after his heroics in the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2020-21.

All India needed at that stage was a swashbuckling hundred from their ‘X Factor’ player to be in the ascendancy in the match. A huge first innings total would’ve nicely set up the match for India and set the crown of the champions on their head for being the most dominant team in the past two years. Pant would’ve been further hailed as the best batter in Test cricket in that particular period.

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