The ODI World Cup is the biggest tournament in the cricketing world. And it is also perhaps the biggest platform in cricket where players from all the nations can showcase their talent.
That’s why, when a player performs at that level, he becomes legendary. Notably the all-round performances in ODI World cup always seal a victory for their respective sides.
All-rounders are perhaps the most strategic players. A team’s success revolves around their success. A good all-rounder, if he does his duty perfectly, can either save space for a batter or for a bowler.
Look at the five best all-round performances in ODI World cup (all teams and all editions).
Five Best All-Round Performances In ODI World Cups
Taking the argument further, we will now take a look at the five best all-round performances that benefited their respective teams immensely.
We will begin with India’s Yuvraj Singh, who was the Player of the Tournament as India lifted the trophy in 2011. We then move on to Pakistan’s Wasim Akram for his brilliant performance against England in the 1992 ODI World Cup final.
Our last three performers are Mohinder Amarnath of India, Sri Lanka’s Aravinda De Silva, and Australia’s Andy Bichel, who picked up three wickets and also scored a crucial 34 runs in a crunch game against England during the 2003 ODI World Cup.
- Yuvraj Singh vs. Australia (2011 ODI World Cup)
- Wasim Akram vs. England (1992 ODI World Cup)
- Mohinder Amarnath vs. Australia (1983 ODI World Cup)
- Aravinda de Silva vs. Sri Lanka (1996 ODI World Cup)
- Andy Bichel vs. England (2003 ODI World Cup)
Analysis of Best All-round Performances in ODI World Cups
Let’s start with the best performance in the entire cricketing history. Yuvraj had been consistent throughout the tournament with both bat and ball. He was also an agile fielder, saving crucial runs.
Yuvraj Singh:
In the 2011 ODI World Cup quarterfinal, Yuvraj Singh came into his own, picking up two wickets and also scoring a crucial 57 runs.
- Australia had batted first and Ricky Ponting had already scored a hundred. They were looking to push for the final acceleration and would have surely got one had Yuvraj not stepped in with the ball.
- He went on to pick the crucial wickets of Brad Haddin and Michael Clarke, which ensured that Australia were restricted to 260/6.
- In reply, India was feeling the heat and was 5/187 at one stage. Here, Yuvraj once again stepped in with the bat, scoring a fighting fifty and seeing his team home. With this win, India marched into the semi-finals.
Wasim Akram (1992 ODI World Cup):
Usually Akram is not known for his batting, but that day he was an exception!
- It was the World Cup Final, and he chose to step up to the plate, scoring a crucial 33 runs and picking up three wickets as well.
- Pakistan opted to bat after winning the toss. Akram walked down to bat at six, with the scorecard reading 4/197. From here on, he played a counter-attacking 33 off 18 balls, helping Pakistan reach 249/6.
- England always had pressure to chase this total down, but Akram was just too good with the ball, picking up figures of 3/49 as England were all out for 227.
Mohinder Amarnath (1983 ODI World Cup):
The one reason 1983 was so special for India was that they found heroes for every match. But this was the World Cup final, and they needed a special hero. This hero was Mohinder Amarnath.
- He first scored a valiant 26 even as wickets tumbled around him as India were all out for 183.
- In reply, the West Indies were all out for 140, and Amarnath played a big role here.
- He went on to pick the wickets of Jeff Dujon, Malcolm Marshall, and Michael Holding.
- Not only would India win that match and lift the trophy, but Amarnath would also get the Man of the Match award.
Aravinda de Silva (1996 ODI World Cup):
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s Aravinda de Silva was the man of the tournament, as he had fired in all the matches consistently.
But against Australia in the big final, he brought his ‘A’ game.
- Sri Lanka had sent Australia into bat after winning the toss. They were restricted to 241/7, with De Silva picking up the three big wickets of Mark Taylor, Ricky Ponting, and Ian Healy.
- Later, he turned up the heat with the bat, scoring a masterful 107 as Sri Lanka chased down the total and won their maiden World Cup trophy.
Andy Bichel (2003 ODI World Cup):
Aussie pacer Andy Bichel went on to pick up seven wickets and also score a valuable 34 runs.
England had won the toss and opted to bat on a slow track.
- England were rattled by Bichel, who would pick up seven wickets for just 20 runs. As a result, Australia managed to restrict England to 204/8.
- In reply, the Aussie batting faltered, and they were 114/7 at one stage. He walked into Bichel, and he, along with Michael Bevan, saw their team home.
- He would score a fighting 34 and be adjudged Man of the Match.
Final Thoughts on Best All-round Performances in ODI World Cup
All-rounders are the most strategic assets of a team in ODI cricket.
These past five performances are a testament to the fact that you need good all-rounders who could bail the team out in the most dire situation.
Let’s not forget that it’s the all-rounders who have won teams the World Cup.
Be it Yuvraj Singh in 2011, James Faulkner in 2015, or Ben Stokes in 2019,
It seems like another all-rounder would take his team to victory in 2023!
Will that be Hardik Pandya? We will have to wait and see.
FAQ
1.Who is the best all-rounder in the 2023 ODI World Cup?
There is no definite answer. But the likes of Hardik Pandya and Ben Stokes can shine.
2. Who is India’s best all-rounder?
Currently, Hardik Pandya is India’s best all-rounder.
3. Which team is expected to win the World Cup?
Australia, England, India, and Pakistan are among the favourites.
