While big sides have always hogged the limelight ahead of the World Cup, the ability of underdogs to spring surprises has been an intriguing sub-plot across all the ten editions of the tournament so far.
From the boisterous Kenya of 1996 and 2003 to the enthralling Ireland of 2011, here are the most stunning five upsets in the history of the tournament:
World Cup 2011 - The Kevin O'Brien Show
In the frenzy of a buzzing crowd at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, a pink-haired nonchalant Irishman etched his name forever in World Cup history. Having put on 327 runs on the board and chipping away at the Irish line-up, England never really looked in a spot of bother in a pool A match.
Enter Kevin O'Brien. With Ireland four down in the 24th over and the asking rate swiftly rising, even O'Brien may not have imagined pulling off an improbable heist. When he walked in, Ireland's biggest hope Ed Joyce was on his way back to the pavilion and all hope was almost lost for the Irish supporters. O'Brien's willow added a twist to the narrative as he went about decimating the English attack with utmost authority.
Before England realised it, the deficit between the runs required and overs remaining was being wiped out as O'Brien shattered Matthew Hayden's record for fastest World Cup hundred (67 balls). O'Brien got there off 50 and finished on 113 off 63 balls, a smashing knock that included 13 fours and six sixes. His wicket in the penultimate over added more drama but he had done enough to inflict upon England their first-ever loss to Ireland.
A nation rejoiced as they found a new hero, a new man they could pin all their hopes on every time he stepped on the field. As for his overjoyed family members, Kevin's brother Ger summed it up very well, when he was quoted saying:
"Some bookmakers had Ireland at 400-1 at one stage. I wish I'd not kept my money in my pocket."
World Cup 2007 - Pakistan Cricket's Nadir
Many may consider Pakistan's meek surrender to Australia in the 1999 World Cup final their lowest point but the tremors and far-reaching repercussion of an upset at the hands of Ireland in 2007 will perhaps go down as the blackest day for Inzamam-ul-Haq and Co. The scores were identical but the aftermath, painstakingly contrasting.
In 1999, they returned home as proud runners-up. In 2007, they were left dumbfounded - first by a group stage exit and then by the mysterious death of coach Bob Woolmer. Woolmer was one of the most highly-regarded cricket coaches who managed two top sides - South Africa and Pakistan in his time.
Ireland, in their first-ever World Cup, were on the cusp of causing a major upset after bowling out Pakistan for just 132. However, with the wicket in Jamaica suiting the Pakistan bowlers, Ireland had to work hard for a small target.
At 15/2, Ireland were staring down the barrel. Wicketkeeper Niall O'Brien pulled them out of the hole and led the chase on either side of a rain break but perished for 72. Ireland needed only 20 more but five wickets were down and pandemonium struck. Pakistan sighted late recovery as two quick wickets fell with still 15 more runs to get. The experienced skipper Trent Johnston showed grit and resistance in his brief stay as his side limped to a three-wicket win. Their successful chase ousted Pakistan, just a day after their sub-continental rivals India had suffered a first-round exit.
Pakistan's untimely exit was met with the shocking news of the mysterious death of coach Bob Woolmer on the following day.
"Doing it [coaching] internationally, it takes a toll on you. The endless travelling and the non-stop living out of hotels. I am deeply hurt [by Pakistan's exit] and cannot tell you how it is going to affect me."
These were perhaps, Woolmer's last words before he was found dead in his hotel room in Jamaica. Initial reports hinted towards stress or a heart attack and a long-drawn investigation followed. Several reports of match-fixing land the possibility of a murder cropped up but in the end it was declared that there wasn't enough evidence to prove foul play in Woolmer's sad and tragic demise.
World Cup 1999 - Bangladesh, the giant-killers
At the outset, the clash between a meek, amateurish Bangladesh and a menacing Pakistan was the portrayal of a grossly mismatched affair. Bangladesh were struggling to adapt to the chilly English conditions while Pakistan came into the fixture having gotten the better of tournament favourites Australia.
On the field however, what transpired was the coming of age of a bunch of boys from Bangladesh who defied odds to captivate an enthralling crowd.
For the first time in the tournament, Bangladesh went past the 200-run mark and set a 224-run target for Pakistan. A hint of complacency may have crept into the Pakistan side, which at that stage had already done enough to advance to the Super 6s. That explained their casual approach which saw them slide to 42/5. Skipper Wasim Akram and Azhar Mahmood put up a fight but it was a day of sloppiness for the Asian giants. There were three run outs that probably led to Pakistan's downfall. First, the in-form opener Saeed Anwar was gone for 9, courtesy a poor yes-no call from skipper Inzamam. Just when Mahmood and Akram looked like they could still steer Pakistan to a win, the former fell short of his ground. The final nail in the coffin came when the final wicket of Saqlain Mushtaq fell with Pakistan still 62 runs short. Even before the third umpire could pass his decision on the dismissal, a sea of Bangladesh fans had taken over the County Ground at Northampton.
World Cup 1996: West Indies' prolonged night of embarrassment
Two-time world champions, three-time finalists West Indies seemed like a giant in front of their debutant opponents Kenya. It seemed like a regular day in the office for the Windies as the troika of Curtly Ambrose, Courtney Walsh and Roger Harper snapped up eight wickets between them to bowl out Kenya for 166. With a small total to chase, West Indies lost two quick wickets.
Brian Lara played a crisp cover drive and began to attempt a few flashy strokes to spice up what seemed like a drab affair. His wicket produced the desired effect. From 33/3, West Indies went crashing down to 93 all out, giving Kenya a reason to break into euphoria.
Celebration?
In an interview with ESPNCricinfo, Kenya's erstwhile captain Maurice Odumbe recalls their incredible story and the night of embarrassment for the Windies.
"The night before the game, the management told us that West Indies had arranged a dinner on the night of the match. They were going to host us, to get to know one another. It became very embarrassing for them. Everything was set up, so we went to the dinner. We could see they were really hurting. They lost to a team they had never heard of."
World Cup 2003: Boisterous Kenya Down Sri Lanka
Steve Tikolo-led Kenya celebrated what could be described as the best day in the history of their game since Maurice Odumbe & Co. outclassed the mighty West Indies in the 1996 World Cup. Batting first, an entertaining knock of 60 from Kennedy Otieno laid the platform for the minnows. They crashed and burned their way to 210.
In reply, Sri Lanka looked ragged from the start. Openers Sanath Jayasuriya and Marvan Attapattu found themselves back in the dugout in no time as Kenya began to sense an opportunity to make the Lankans work hard for a win. The tall, lanky leg-spinner with a slanting run-up then ripped the heart out of the Sri Lankan batting line-up.
He finished with match-winning figures of 5/24 in 10 overs, dismissing Hashan Tillakaratne, Aravinda de Silva, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene and Chaminda Vaas. The crucial wicket of De Silva began to bring down the curtains on the Lankan chase. They were eventually bundled out for 157 after a boisterous Kenyan side displayed sharp skills on the field.