ICC ODI Cricket World Cup, a multi-nation tournament, helps an ODI team achieve ultimate glory. Held once in every four years, it is the mother of all events in world cricket.
The first World Cup was held in England (1975) owing to their disciplined organising ability of such a big tournament. Since then, the tournament has been played 11 times in 15 different countries, with the 12th edition hosted by England in 2019.
The World Cup has been a great platform for many legendary cricketers to showcase their world-class performances. As a result, many unique records have been created and broken in each and every edition.
Take a look at the most significant tournament numbers including the highest run-getters and wicket-takers.
Most Cricket World Cup wins
Australia have an outstanding history in the Cricket World Cup. In the 11 World Cups held so far, they have won the tournament on 5 occasions - including three consecutive wins between 1999-2007. They also hold the World Cup record for most match wins (62) and highest win percentage of 75 per cent.
Despite the recent controversy surrounding the reigning champions, they will go in to next year's tournament with confidence in the knowledge that history is on their side.
Individual batting records
No player has scored more runs at the Cricket World Cup than Sachin Tendulkar; or even come close for that matter. He scored 2,278 runs at the tournament - more than 500 more than his nearest rival - at an average of 56.95.
His highest score at the World Cup came against Namibia in 2003 when he hit 152, but it was his runs in the 2011 World Cup which inspired India to glory.
Highest successful run chase
England's game against Ireland at the 2011 Cricket World Cup went down as one of all time classic games. Kevin O'Brien hit the fastest century in Cricket World Cup history as Ireland pulled off an astonishing victory over England in Bangalore.
His 113 off 63 balls helped Ireland recover from 111-5 to overhaul their target of 328 with five balls to spare, making this the highest successful run chase ever at a World Cup.
Highest team score
At the 2015 Cricket World Cup, Australia produced a stunning performance to thrash Afghanistan in a record-breaking game. Maxwell smashed 88 from 45 balls to propel Australia to 417-6.
Other records tumbled, as Australia then went on to bowl Afghanistan out for just 142 in reply. The margin of victory was 275 runs - the highest ever recorded at a World Cup.
Winners in 02 both 60 overs and 50 overs editions
Many in the cricket fraternity are unaware that India is the only team to win the World Cup in two different formats (60 and 50 overs format).
Back in 1983, India won their first World Cup against the West Indies which was the last 60 overs format in a World Cup. Since 1987, all the other editions have followed the 50-over format.
The Indian team won their 2nd ICC Cricket World Cup in 2011, making them the only team to win it in 02 different formats. The 2011 triumph also helped India to become the first host-team to win a World Cup.
Most consecutive centuries
Kumar Sangakkara is one of the best players that Sri Lanka has ever produced. The stylish left-handed batsman had his best World Cup campaign in 2015.
Sanga was the lone warrior in Sri Lanka's disappointing World Cup performance in Australia. He was the 2nd highest run scorer with 541 runs in just 7 matches at a Bradmanesque average of 108.20 with 4 centuries.
Sanga scored those 4 centuries in 4 consecutive matches against Bangladesh, England, Australia and Scotland. Even with such a super-human effort, he couldn't take Sri Lanka past the Quarterfinal, ending his career in a state of sorrow.
Most sixes scored
The record for the most sixes hit at World Cups is of Chris Gayle. Chris Gayle hit 40 sixes in the World Cups so far.
Individual bowling Records
He lifted the trophy three times and took more wickets than anyone else in the history of the tournament; it's fair to say Glenn McGrath had a huge impact at the ICC Cricket World Cup.
Between his debut at the tournament in 1996 and his final appearance in 2007, McGrath claimed 71 wickets in 39 games.
He may have been nearing the end of his career, but his most prolific World Cup came in 2007. His 26 wickets were a tournament best for most wickets at a single edition of the World Cup.
Most wickets in consecutive balls
Sri Lanka v South Africa went down as one of the all-time classic World Cup games at the 2007 Cricket WC.
South Africa looked to be cruising to victory, needing just 4 more runs at 206-5, before Sri Lanka's Lasith Malinga set a new World Cup record with 4 wickets from 4 balls! Nevertheless, South Africa held their nerve to scrape home by one wicket.
Most dismissals in a tournament
At the peak of his powers in 2003, Gilchrist was solid behind the stumps and made few errors as Australia motored to a second straight World Cup title.
Youngest captain to win a world cup
Kapil Dev is always regarded as one of the best all-rounders in world cricket. Since his departure, India has found it difficult to find someone of his caliber in the past 25 years.
Kapil, at the age of 24, led the Indian team to their first World Cup triumph in 1983. With that, he also became the youngest captain ever to win a World Cup, a record unbroken for the past 35 years.
Since the average age of the captains in the upcoming World Cup is 27+, it is affirmative that the above record will continue to be unbroken for another 5 years.
Fastest double century
West Indies opener Chris Gayle hit the fastest double century in World Cup history in their victory over Zimbabwe in 2015. Gayle went on to hit a total of 16 sixes in 147 balls before he was out for 215 off the last delivery of his side's innings.
The stand of 372 with Marlon Samuels was also a record partnership for any ODI wicket. West Indies amassed 372-2 from their 50 overs, and went on to beat Zimbabwe by 73 runs (D/L).
Most World Cup appearances
Javed Miandad was termed as Pakistan's best and was one of the greatest cricketers according to many cricket pundits. The former Pakistani captain was always known for his unconventional style of batting and captaincy, serving the Pakistani cricket proudly for 21 years (1975-96).
Miandad's vital contribution during the 1992 World Cup (437 runs) helped Pakistan clinch their only World Cup triumph. In 1996, he played his last World Cup and hence created a record of 6 World Cup appearances.
Sachin joined this elite list when he played in the 2011 Cricket World Cup. Even a supreme fit Virat Kohli would be 38-years old while playing his 5th World cup, and thus the record seems to be invincible thus far.
