The ICC ODI World Cup is considered the pinnacle of the One Day Format (ODI) and has long been the crown that all the teams in world cricket want in her trophy cabinet. Winning a World Cup Trophy brings huge degrees of glory, power, prestige, and respect along with it.
The first 3 editions of the tournament were 60 overs including the 1983 historic World Cup, which was won by Kapil Dev’s India. In 1987, the World Cup first took place outside England and it was indeed, a monumental occasion in world cricket. It was also the first time the World Cup overs were reduced from 60 to 50.
A symbol of pride and prestige, teams battle it out every 4 years amongst themselves and lock horns with each other in this prestigious tournament. The ICC World Cup Winners list comprises the top teams in the world, who have laid their hands on the prestigious silverware.
In this article, we will take a look at the ODI World Cup Winners List, starting from 1975:
| Year | Champions | Runner Up |
| 2023 | Australia | India |
| 2019 | England | New Zealand |
| 2015 | Australia | New Zealand |
| 2011 | India | Sri Lanka |
| 2007 | Australia | Sri Lanka |
| 2003 | Australia | India |
| 1999 | Australia | Pakistan |
| 1996 | Sri Lanka | Australia |
| 1992 | Pakistan | England |
| 1987 | Australia | England |
| 1983 | India | West Indies |
| 1979 | West Indies | England |
| 1975 | West Indies | Australia |
ICC ODI World Cup 1975
Also known as the Prudential Cup because of sponsorship reasons, the 1975 edition of this tournament was the first edition. West Indies, led by Clive Lloyd, laid their hands on the trophy as they beat Australia by a margin of 17 runs in the finals at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Stadium in London.
South Africa was omitted from the World Cup due to the growing practices and concerns of Apartheid in the country.
Champions: West Indies
Runners-Up: Australia
ICC ODI World Cup 1979
It was West Indies once again, who dominated in the tournament and won their second consecutive World Cup trophy. West Indies demolished England by an enormous margin of 92 runs and stamped their authority in the tournament.
Sir Vivian Richards, one of the greatest to have played this sport, was the player of the match in the finals for his exceptional knock of 138* runs in 157 deliveries.
Champions: West Indies
Runners-Up: England
ICC ODI World Cup 1983
The 1983 World Cup victory by the Indian cricket team was a turning point in the history of Indian cricket. Kapil Dev and Co. scripted history as they defied all odds and beat the mighty 2-time World Cup champions, West Indies, in the finals of this competition.
Kapil Dev’s inspiring leadership is noteworthy and one of the best innings of all-time in ODI Cricket was played by the Indian skipper in this World Cup against Zimbabwe. India was reeling at 17-5 and Kapil Dev then scripted a fabulous comeback. He steered India to a mammoth total, scoring 175* runs in that innings at Tunbridge Wells.
Champions: India
Runners-Up: West Indies
ICC ODI World Cup 1987
6-time ODI World Cup winners Australia announced themselves as champions for the first time in this edition of the World Cup. It was also the first time, the tournament was held outside England.
India and Pakistan jointly hosted the tournament and Australia defeated England by 7 runs in the finals. It was England’s second appearance in the finals.
Champions: Australia
Runners-Up: England
ICC ODI World Cup 1992
Pakistan registered their first-ever World Cup victory in the 1992 edition of this tournament, which was held in Australia and New Zealand. Under the astute captaincy of Imran Khan, Pakistan won their first ODI World Cup.
Champions: Pakistan
Runners-Up: England
ICC ODI World Cup 1996
India had a heartbreaking time in this World Cup as they lost to Sri Lanka in the semi-finals amidst some tense and nervy moments at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. While chasing 252 runs, India were stuck at a precarious situation of 120 runs for the loss of 8 wickets.
The livid fans of the Indian team started protesting and threw a lot of items on the field and the match was subsequently abandoned and was awarded to Sri Lanka. The visuals of former India cricketer Vinod Kambli, crying inconsolably, and stepping out of the field, are still engrained in the minds of the passionate hearts of the Indian cricket team.
Sri Lanka went on to win their maiden World Cup title after beating Australia in the finals at the Gadaffi Stadium in Lahore.
Champions: Sri Lanka
Runners-Up: Australia
ICC ODI World Cup 1999
The dominance of the Australian cricket team in the World Cups started from 1999 as it was the first of the hat-trick of World Cups which Australia went on to win. Australia’s bowlers in the form of Shane Warne and Geoff Allott bagged 20 wickets each and helped Australia win their 2nd title.
Champions: Australia
Runners-Up: Pakistan
ICC ODI World Cup 2003
Another heartbreaking moment for the Indian cricket team is the finals of the ICC ODI World Cup 2003. Sourav Ganguly and co. lost to Australia in the finals and failed to win their 2nd title.
The ICC ODI World Cup 2003 saw Sachin Tendulkar score 673 runs and he also bagged the player of the tournament award.
Champions: Australia
Runners-Up: India
ICC ODI World Cup 2007
Australia exercised their dominant muscles in this tournament as well and won their 3rd ODI World Cup on the trot. Ricky Ponting and co. were an embodiment of class and consistency and sent shockwaves across the entire cricketing fraternity.
The Australians eclipsed past Sri Lanka by 53 runs in a rain-marred game. Adam Gilchrist took 2 catches and scored a vital knock of 149 runs in 104 balls to win the Player of the Match award.
Champions: Australia
Runners-Up: Sri Lanka
ICC ODI World Cup 2011
Held in the Indian subcontinent for the third time, the ICC ODI World Cup 2011 was a special sojourn for the Indian cricket team. Led by MS Dhoni, India lifted their 2nd ODI World Cup title and there was euphoria and joy in the streets of every single Indian city and village.
Gautam Gambhir and MS Dhoni spearheaded India’s batting stocks in the finals as they scored 97 and 91* runs respectively in the high-octane finals against Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Champions: India
Runners-Up: Sri Lanka
ICC ODI World Cup 2015
Australia won their 5th ICC ODI World Cup title in 2015 and once again dominated the marquee ICC tournament. Australia thereby proved that they were a synonym of the word ‘consistency’.
Australia defeated New Zealand in the finals in a one-sided affair and helped Michael Clarke, have a solid retirement.
Champions: Australia
Runners-Up: New Zealand
ICC ODI World Cup 2019
England won their maiden ICC ODI World Cup title in 2019 after beating New Zealand in the finals in the super over, which ended in a tie. There was a huge controversy surrounding their victory but the rule book back then stated that if a super over ends in a tie, then boundary count will be taken into account.
After a wave of discontentment and frustration, this rule was taken off ICC’ rule book. But New Zealand were robbed of an opportunity of winning their maiden ICC ODI World Cup title.
Champions: England
Runners-Up: New Zealand
ICC ODI World Cup 2023
Being held in India completely for the first time, Rohit Sharma and co. had a golden opportunity to win their 3rd title and their first ICC title since 2013. India were the best team in the entire tournament and registered 10 wins before faltering against Australia in the finals by 7 wickets.
The loss on 19th November 2023 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad was a bitter pill to swallow for all the ardent cricket lovers of India. Australia, riding on the back of Travis Head’s century, won their 6th ODI World Cup title, highlighting an unparalleled level of dominance in World Cricket and in ICC events.
Champions: Australia
Runners-Up: India
Also Read: List Of T20 World Cup Winners Till 2024
FAQs
Ans. There are 50 overs in the ICC ODI World Cup.
Ans. The last ODI World Cup was in 2023, held in India. Australia were the champions for the 6th title and India were the runners-up.
Ans. Clive Lloyd’s West Indies won the first-ever ODI World Cup in 1975 beating Australia in the finals.
