The 5 greatest knocks in World Cup finals

The 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup is underway in England and Wales. Many pundits have declared hosts England the favorites to win the title and rightfully so given their form. England has never won the World Cup despite finishing as runners-up three times. Now, they have the best squad they have had in years and will be riding high on confidence. India and Australia, on the other hand, are strong contenders and can never be taken lightly as they have all the possible weapons to finish on top when it's all said and done.

So far, there have been 11 editions of the ICC Cricket World Cup dating back to 1975. With this have come many incredible individual performances on the biggest stage of the tournament, the World Cup Finals. We will rank 5 such sublime knocks by some of the greatest batsmen in the world that occured in World Cup finals.

Honorable Mention: Mahendra Singh Dhoni Vs Sri Lanka 2011 | Runs:91, Balls:79, 4s:8, 6s:2, Strike Rate: 115.18

On the back of a classic hundred from star batsman Mahela Jayawardene, Sri Lanka put up a decent total of 274, a score which had never been chased in a World Cup final until then. In reply, India lost the early wickets of Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar. However, Gautam Gambhir was the architect of the run chase as he kept his nerves under calm and put the team in a better position before departing at 97.

But it was MS Dhoni who promoted himself up to the order ahead of Man of the Tournament Yuvraj Singh and scored a blistering 91 runs off just 79 balls, finishing off with a six to get team India over the line. Thanks to his heroics, India lifted their second World Cup after 27 years.

#5. Vivian Richards Vs England 1979 | Runs: 138, Balls: 157, 4s: 11, 6s: 3, Strike Rate: 87.89

Viv Richards in action against England in 1979 Cricket World Cup

Leading up to the World Cup, West Indies were the early favorites as many thought they had the best squad at that time, equipped with world-class bowlers capable of bowling regularly at 145 kilometers per hour. With the likes of Gordon Greenidge, Desmond Haynes, Alvin Kallicharan and Captain Clive Lloyd departing early, the star-studded West Indies lineup was in danger of putting up a paltry total on board. This was before Sir Viv Richards and his compatriot Collis King stabilized the innings. Collis King destroyed the English bowling attack as he scored runs in a flurry. On the other end, Richards, methodical and meticulous in his approach, scored a scintillating century as he took West Indies to an insurmountable 286 runs and helped them lift their second consecutive World Cup.

#4. Aravinda De Silva Vs Australia 1996 | Runs: 107, Balls: 124, 4s: 13, Strike Rate: 86.29

Aravinda De Silva in action against Australia in the 1996 World Cup Final.

The Sri Lankan squad of the 1996 Cricket World Cup had one of the greatest Cinderella runs of all time as they thrashed one team after another on their way to the World Cup Finals where they'd meet the mighty Australians. Sri Lanka skipper Arjuna Ranatunga won the toss and elected to field first against the mighty Australians who set a decent target of 241-7 on the back of solid performances from captain Mark Taylor 74 (83) and youngster Ricky Ponting 45 (73). Sri Lanka, who were the underdogs started off losing their openers in quick succession before Aravinda De Silva played a match-winning inning of 107 runs that helped Sri Lanka chase down the target and lift it's first and only World Cup trophy to date.

#3. Clive Lloyd Vs Australia 1975 | Runs: 102, Balls: 85, 4s: 12, 6s:2, Strike Rate: 120.0

Clive Lloyd against Australia in the 1975 World Cup Final

In the inaugural Cricket World Cup Final played between West Indies and Australia, the Windies put up a mammoth total of 291-8 after being invited to bat first by the Aussies. After losing a flurry of wickets at the start of the innings, Captain Clive Lloyd and Rohan Kanhai bolstered the innings with a partnership of 149 runs. Lloyd was particularly impressive as he belted 12 boundaries and 2 sixes on his way to a brilliant century. He finished his innings with 102 runs off mere 85 balls. Australia, led by Ian Chappell in their chase came up just short as they were all out at 274 runs. As a result, West Indies lifted the inaugural Cricket World Cup, their first of the two they've won.

#2. Ricky Ponting Vs India 2003 | Runs: 140, Balls: 121, 4s: 4, 6s: 8, Strike Rate: 115.70

Ricky Ponting smashes a six against India in the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup

Aussies were put to bat after Indian Captain Saurav Ganguly infamously decided to field first. Australian openers Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden started the innings on fire as they partnered for a quick 100-run-stand before Harbhajan Singh dismissed both of them. From then on, the game was totally in Australia's favor as skipper Ricky Ponting and Damien Martyn mantled the innings for a record stand of 234 runs. Ponting played one of the greatest ODI knocks of all time as he absolutely annihilated the Indian bowling attack and helped Australia score a gigantic 359-2. In reply, India lost tournament's highest run scorer, Sachin Tendulkar in the first over. After that, India kept losing wickets at regular intervals and never quite looked settled at the middle, losing the match and the World Cup Final as a result.

#1. Adam Gilchrist Vs Sri Lanka 2007 | Runs: 149, Balls: 104, 4s:13, 6s:8, Strike Rate: 143.26

ICC Cricket World Cup Final - Australia v Sri Lanka

Australian wicketkeeper-batsman Adam Gilchrist played arguably the greatest individual innings in the history of the World Cup Finals as he decimated the Sri Lankan bowling attack on his way to a blistering 149 runs, the highest individual score in the World Cup Finals. Gilchrist, who infamously batted by employing a squash ball inside his glove was virtually unstoppable as he belted 13 boundaries and 8 huge sixes which helped his side put 281 runs in just 38 overs in a game marred by inconsistent rain. Sri Lanka in reply, could not keep up with the asking rate as they lost crucial wickets at regular intervals which cost them the game. In the end, Sri Lanka put up 215-8 in 36 overs before the game was awarded to Australia on the basis of the Duckworth-Lewis method. Due to Adam Gilchrist's heroic innings in which he was named the man-of-the-match, Aussies won their third consecutive World Cup and fourth overall.