Discover how many World Cup India won in cricket since the tournament began in 1975. Learn about the teams they defeated during their journey to the trophy.
How Many World Cup India Won in Cricket
India has won the ICC World Cup three times in cricket in 1983, 2007, and 2011. These victories span across two formats and occurred over a period of 28 years under the leadership of two different captains, Kapil Dev and MS Dhoni. This is a testament to India’s prowess in the sport and answers the question of how many World Cup India won in cricket.
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| Format | Year | Captain | Final Opponent | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODI | 1983 | Kapil Dev | West Indies | Lord’s, London |
| T20 | 2007 | MS Dhoni | Pakistan | Johannesburg |
| ODI | 2011 | MS Dhoni | Sri Lanka | Mumbai |
1983: India’s First World Cup Win
The Indian cricket team faced disappointment in the 1975 and 1979 World Cups, failing to advance past the group stages. Despite having notable players like Sunil Gavaskar and Dilip Vengsarkar, the team suffered heavy defeats against teams like England and West Indies. Their only victory in those two tournaments came against East Africa in 1975. When India arrived in England for the 1983 World Cup, they were considered the underdogs, and this raises the question of how many World Cup India won in cricket.
Under the new captain, Kapil Dev, India defied the odds and clinched the title, inspiring a nation and marking the beginning of India’s rise as a cricketing superpower.
India’s Road to the Final – 1983
| Date | Venue | Opponent | Result | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 9 | Manchester | West Indies | Won | By 34 Runs |
| Jun 11 | Leicester | Zimbabwe | Won | By 5 Wickets |
| Jun 13 | Nottingham | Australia | Lost | By 162 Runs |
| Jun 15 | Kennington | West Indies | Lost | By 66 Runs |
| Jun 18 | Tunbridge | Zimbabwe | Won | By 31 Runs |
| Jun 20 | Bristol | Australia | Won | By 118 Runs |
| Jun 22 | Manchester | England | Won | By 6 Wickets |
| Jun 25 | London | West Indies | Won | By 43 Runs |
India started the 2007 T20 World Cup with a game that was washed out against Scotland. They bounced back, winning key matches against Pakistan, England, and South Africa. In the semi-finals, India faced Australia, where Yuvraj Singh’s explosive innings helped secure a place in the final. In a thrilling final against Pakistan, India triumphed by five runs, adding to the tally of how many World Cup India won in cricket.
2007: India Wins the Inaugural T20 World Cup
India’s journey to the 2007 T20 World Cup was similar to 1983. After a disappointing exit in the 2007 ODI World Cup, a fresh squad, led by MS Dhoni, took the field. India, once again seen as underdogs, surprised everyone by winning the T20 World Cup, showcasing Dhoni’s leadership to the world.
India’s Road to the Final – 2007 T20 World Cup
| Date | Venue | Opponent | Result | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 13 | Durban | Scotland | Tie | No Result |
| Sep 14 | Durban | Pakistan | Won | In Bowl-out |
| Sep 16 | Johannesburg | New Zealand | Lost | By 10 Runs |
| Sep 19 | Durban | England | Won | By 18 Runs |
| Sep 20 | Durban | South Africa | Won | By 37 Runs |
| Sep 22 | Durban | Australia | Won | By 15 Runs |
| Sep 24 | Johannesburg | Pakistan | Won | By 5 Runs |
2011: India Wins the ODI World Cup Again After 28 Years
Unlike previous years, India entered the 2011 World Cup as one of the favorites, playing in home conditions. With a strong balance of youth and experience, India lifted the trophy once again under MS Dhoni’s captaincy, beating Sri Lanka in a thrilling final.
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India’s Road to the Final – 2011 World Cup
| Date | Venue | Opponent | Result | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 19 | Mirpur | Bangladesh | Won | By 87 Runs |
| Feb 27 | Bengaluru | England | Draw | Match Tied |
| Mar 6 | Bengaluru | Ireland | Won | By 5 Wickets |
| Mar 9 | Delhi | Netherlands | Won | By 5 Wickets |
| Mar 12 | Nagpur | South Africa | Lost | By 3 Wickets |
| Mar 20 | Chennai | West Indies | Won | By 80 Runs |
| Mar 24 | Ahmedabad | Australia | Won | By 5 Wickets |
| Mar 30 | Mohali | Pakistan | Won | By 29 Runs |
| Apr 2 | Mumbai | Sri Lanka | Won | By 6 Wickets |
India’s 2011 World Cup campaign was impressive, with only one loss to South Africa and a tied match against England. They faced Pakistan in the semi-finals and secured a comfortable victory. In the final against Sri Lanka, India chased down a challenging target of 275 runs. With outstanding performances from Gautam Gambhir and MS Dhoni, India won the match by six wickets, highlighting how many World Cup India won in cricket.
India also claimed the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy, but that remains their last ICC title to date. The successes in 1983, 2007, and 2011 not only answered how many World Cup India won in cricket but also solidified India’s status as a cricketing powerhouse.
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