Top 5 Most Viewed Cricket Matches In History

Cricket is one of the most followed sports across the globe. For its followers, the matches are not just a game but an emotion. The excitement and intensity have always been high when popular rivalries like Ashes and India vs Pakistan matches take center stage. The passion and emotions run high among fanatics when these teams meet.

But, it is often wondered how the buzz resulted during these insane rivalries is being measured. One such measure to estimate that is the number of people that tune in to watch the match. These numbers could certainly reveal the magnitude of the match.

As there were multiple clashes in the history of cricket that garnered record viewership, let us now take a look into the top five most viewed matches and the number of viewers that tuned in to watch these.

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#1 ICC Cricket World Cup, 2015 group match between India & South Africa -- 30 Crore Unique Users

When India locked horns with South Africa in a Group B match of ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, 30 crore unique viewers tuned in to watch the match. Entering the tournament with a poor run of form, there were not many expectations from Team India. On the other hand, South Africa entered the tournament as one of the title favorites. But with India crushing Pakistan by 76 runs in their opening match, a neck-to-neck match was anticipated when they face off South Africa in their next clash.

Batting first the MS Dhoni-led team India posted a mammoth total of 307 runs on the board with the help of Shikhar Dhawan's high-quality 137 and Ajinkya Rahane’s quickfire 79. Chasing 308, the Proteas were bundled out for a paltry 177 with Ashwin mustering three and Mohammad Shami, Mohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja sharing five wickets among them.

#4 ICC Cricket World Cup, 2015 group match between India & Pakistan -- 31.3 Crore Unique Users

Among most awaited clashes of any ICC tournaments, the clash of arch-rivals India and Pakistan has to be right on top. Proving aforesaid, the group match between India and Pakistan attracted 31.3 Crore unique viewers.

Electing to bat first, India finished with 300/7 with the help of Virat Kohli's exceptional ton and Suresh Raina's quick-fire 74 at the end. In reply, Pakistan were bowled out for 224 in 47 overs with Shami being the pick of the bowlers with 4/35 off his 9 overs.

#3 ICC Champions Trophy, 2017 group match between India & Pakistan --

32.4 Crore Unique Users

The India - Pakistan was again expected to take the center stage when India faced off against Pakistan at Edgbaston. As expected, the match fetched a record viewership 32.4 Crore unique users.

With the top four Indian batters notching up their fifties, they put up a massive total of 320 for Pakistan. Chasing the same, Pakistan were all-out for a mere 170 runs to hand India a 124-run victory by DLS method.

#2 ICC Cricket World Cup, 2011 Semifinal between India & Pakistan --

49.5 Crore Unique Users

Out of all the India vs Pakistan clashes, the Semifinal of the ICC Cricket World Cup, 2011 at Mohali, without a doubt, was the most hyped. The same is reemphasized by its viewership of 49.5 Crore unique users.

With the help of a 115-ball-85 from the little master Sachin Tendulkar, India posted a challenging total of 260 on the board. Pakistan's Wahab Riaz produced a brilliant spell of bowling to end with 5/45, which contained India for a reasonably less score. With the bowlers turning up for India on the big day, the Men in Blue secured a 29-run victory to enter the finals.

#1 ICC Cricket World Cup, 2011 Final between India & Srilanka--

55.8 Crore Unique Users

One of the biggest matches in the history of Indian cricket, the final of ICC Cricket World Cup, 2011 against Sri Lanka leads the list of most viewed cricket matches with the viewership of 55.8 Crore unique users.

Winning the toss and batting first, Sri Lanka posted a fighting total of 274 on the board with the help of an 88-ball-ton from Mahela Jayawardene. Chasing a record total, India lost the wickets of Sehwag and Sachin very early. But with the support of Gautam Gambhir's invaluable 97 and Virat Kohli's 35, MS Dhoni took India over the rope with his valiant 91 to end the 28-year wait to win the World Cup.