PHOTO FEATURE 
Follow UsThe 2023 World Cup went through its ups and downs. At the start, there were cries about the lack of crowd and then the lack of close matches. While those things picked up, there was no shortage of quality cricket and emotions running through the veins of fans and players.
The World Cup had plenty of stories to tell and what is better to recount a story than a picture that speaks a thousand words?
In one such story, you could see the happiness on the face of the Afghanistan contingent in the World Cup when they defeated Pakistan. They had already beaten the defending champions, England. However, beating Pakistan is what mattered to them the most. It made up for all the agony endured by those close finishes that didn’t go their way against their neighbours with geopolitical tensions.
Such was the euphoria, the Afghanistan fans stated that their World Cup was done. Little did they know that the team would actually be in contention for the semi-finals. Those hopes were crushed by Glenn Maxwell but in a country where cricket is left as the only source of happiness, it was heartening to see the Afghans beaming.
Speaking of Maxwell, he played arguably the greatest innings in World Cup history. First ODI double hundred while chasing, first by a non-opener, and you can say the first on one leg as well.
He collapsed on the field and the cramps reverberated through his body, making him twist like a fish out of water. We were all Michael Gough at the moment, wanting to check on him.
Maxwell’s response: “Call an ambulance but not for me.” If you know, you know.
C’mon, this was hilarious. Angelo Mathews was given out in the first ever Timed Out dismissal in international cricket. It is a moment that will define the Sri Lanka - Bangladesh rivalry in the time to come and in a bigger way than the NAAGIN DANCE!
Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan didn’t retract the appeal based on an equipment malfunction - a broken helmet strap in this case. Later, Mathews found some poetic justice, dismissing Shakib and pointing at his wrist, stating it is time to go. Unadulterated drama.
Nothing represents England’s disastrous World Cup better than this Ben Stokes image. Trying to accelerate after digging it out against Australia, Stokes found the only fielder in the fine-leg region. He couldn’t believe his luck, just like we couldn’t believe England’s campaign.
Another batter on his haunches but the emotions are different. Virat Kohli had scored 49 ODI hundreds before but as he ran for his 100th run at the Wankhede Stadium, for his 50th ODI ton, he had a smile of disbelief. On his knees, Kohli soaked in the moment, breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s record for most tons in the format.
And what an occasion to do that: A World Cup semi-final with Tendulkar in the stands himself. All those missed hundreds in the past seemed worth it.
Later in the same game, his opposite number, Kane Williamson, had contrasting emotions when he found the man in the deep. He is not a rockstar but bends his back like one. Instead of a high-pitched roar, he let out a cry of anguish with the bowler Mohammed Shami celebrating, constituting one of the best pictures of the tournament.
Another batter in shock and in unprecedented circumstances. KL Rahul’s best chance at scoring a hundred was to score a four and a six with India needing five to win. However, he timed his lofted cover drive so well, it carried over the ropes for a maximum, leaving him unbeaten on 97. He went on his knees, shell-shocked at how well he timed it. Hilarious and painful at the same time.
Continuing the somber mood, Gerald Coetzee received a much-needed hug from David Miller after South Africa lost another semi-final. The two gave their heart out, leading South Africa’s recovery from 24/4 to fight till the final ball was bowled. But alas, the old cricketing narratives continued as the Proteas failed to win another World Cup knockout fixture.
Wankhede once again lived up to its hype as one of the best cricketing venues in India. From the atmosphere to the quality of cricket, everything clicked. And the knowledgeable crowd was quick to notice the greatness, whether it came from Kohli, Heinrich Klaasen or Maxwell.
Shami oh Shami! What a World Cup he had. Benched for the first games, Shami took the competition by storm, becoming the highest wicket-taker in the tournament. He snapped 24 wickets at 10.7 runs apiece. If there was one player who provided the best images throughout the tournament, it was Shami. And we pick this one, where the right-arm seamer launched himself in the air in ecstasy.
At this point, the only thing in double digits regarding Shami’s World Cup stats was the number of wickets. Scary, right!?
How many players do you know who kick-started their career in a World Cup? Rachin Ravindra had made his debut earlier but announced himself in this tournament. Replacing Kane Williamson, he struck a hundred in the World Cup opener itself. The picture describes it the best when Devon Conway (152*) asked him to lead the way to the dressing room with a dejected England team applauding behind. The left-hander scored two more hundreds in the World Cup.
Marnus Labuschagne is destiny’s favorite child. He had no business playing this World Cup in the first place. Someone kept getting injured for Labuschagne to play all 11 games in this World Cup. He did fairly well with the bat but his fielding left a lasting impact. Here, he reminds you of the Jonty Rhodes’ style run out in 1992. The dive and the expression on his face speak for his eccentric and clinical ways of getting things done.
There are images where you can hear the silence. Kohli was bowled by Pat Cummins at the worst moment possible in the final. For a moment, it felt like a towing car would be needed to carry Kohli off the field as the weight of a billion hopes being crushed was too heavy.
And yes, Australia have won another World Cup. That is it. Nothing much to write here. Death, taxes and Australia winning Cricket World Cups.
We are tired of it but we also can’t stop admiring their winning DNA, be it men’s or the women’s team.
