The first ODI (One Day International) match was played between England and Australia in 1971. Following its success, the ICC (International Cricket Council) decided to start the ODI World Cup, with the first tournament held in 1975. The West Indies became the first champions, defeating Australia in the final.

Australia have been the most successful team in the tournament’s history, winning the title six times. Their first win came in 1987. West Indies and India have both won the tournament twice, while England claimed their first win in 2019. Pakistan and Sri Lanka have each won the World Cup once, in 1992 and 1996, respectively.

West Indies dominated the first two World Cups. In 1975, they beat Australia by 17 runs, and in 1979, they defeated England by 92 runs. England hosted the first three World Cups before the tournament moved to India and Pakistan in 1987.

India pulled off a major surprise in 1983 when Kapil Dev's team beat the West Indies by 43 runs in the final. Mohinder Amarnath and Madan Lal took three wickets each, helping India bowl out the West Indies for 140. A memorable moment from that game was Kapil Dev's remarkable catch to dismiss Sir Vivian Richards.

Australia won their first World Cup in 1987, defeating England by 7 runs in the final. They had earlier knocked Pakistan out in the semi-finals. In 1992, Imran Khan led Pakistan to their first World Cup title. Despite winning just one of their first five matches, Pakistan made a remarkable comeback, winning their next three games to reach the semi-finals. They then beat New Zealand to set up a final against England, where Pakistan triumphed by 22 runs.

The 1996 World Cup was jointly hosted by India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka went unbeaten throughout the tournament, defeating England in the quarter-finals and India in the semi-finals. In the final, they beat Australia in Lahore to claim their first and only World Cup title.

Australia began their era of dominance in 1999, winning the World Cup by defeating Pakistan in the final under the leadership of Steve Waugh. Ricky Ponting then led them to two more victories, over India in 2003 and Sri Lanka in 2007, making Australia the first team to win three consecutive World Cups.

India won their second World Cup in 2011, under the captaincy of MS Dhoni. After losing only one match (to South Africa) during the tournament, India defeated Australia in the quarter-finals and Pakistan in the semi-finals. In the final, Gautam Gambhir’s 97 and MS Dhoni’s unbeaten 91 helped India chase down Sri Lanka’s total of 274.

Australia claimed their fifth World Cup in 2015, beating New Zealand by seven wickets in Melbourne. In 2019, England finally won their first World Cup. In a dramatic final, they tied with New Zealand both in the match and in the Super Over, but won the trophy on the boundary count rule.

Australia won their sixth title in 2023, beating India by six wickets in Ahmedabad. India had been unbeaten throughout the tournament, while Australia had lost their first two games. India scored 240 in the final, but Travis Head’s brilliant 137 helped Australia chase down the target, securing another World Cup victory.

Men’s ODI World Cup winners