The biggest stage of them all for cricket – The ICC Cricket World Cup – has seen both moments of glory and heartbreak, as well as unforgettable performances since its inaugural edition in 1975. The best cricketing nations from around the world compete for the most coveted title in the sport every four years.
In this post, we take you through the entire list of ICC World Cup winners from 1975 to 2019 including both men and women so that means you can also learn about the runner-ups as well.
What Is the ICC Cricket World Cup?
The ICC Cricket World Cup is an international championship of One Day International (ODI) cricket, organised by the International Cricket Council. It is held once in four years and considered as the “Olympics of Cricket.”
The tournament includes group games and semifinals, finals among others. It has grown in its format over the decades – from 60-over formats in 1975 to the existing 50-over format.
ICC World Cup Winners List (1975-2019)
Here’s the complete year-wise list of ICC World Cup Winners List from 1975 to 2019:
| Year | Winner | Runner-Up | Host Nation(s) | Final Venue | Winning Margin |
| 1975 | West Indies | Australia | England | Lord’s, London | 17 runs |
| 1979 | West Indies | England | England | Lord’s, London | 92 runs |
| 1983 | India | West Indies | England | Lord’s, London | 43 runs |
| 1987 | Australia | England | India & Pakistan | Eden Gardens, Kolkata | 7 runs |
| 1992 | Pakistan | England | Australia & New Zealand | MCG, Melbourne | 22 runs |
| 1996 | Sri Lanka | Australia | India, Pakistan & Sri Lanka | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore | 7 wickets |
| 1999 | Australia | Pakistan | England | Lord’s, London | 8 wickets |
| 2003 | Australia | India | South Africa, Zimbabwe & Kenya | Wanderers, Johannesburg | 125 runs |
| 2007 | Australia | Sri Lanka | West Indies | Kensington Oval, Barbados | 53 runs (D/L method) |
| 2011 | India | Sri Lanka | India, Sri Lanka & Bangladesh | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai | 6 wickets |
| 2015 | Australia | New Zealand | Australia & New Zealand | MCG, Melbourne | 7 wickets |
| 2019 | England | New Zealand | England & Wales | Lord’s, London | Super Over (Boundary count) |
Which Country won ICC Cricket World Cup Summary in Brief (1975,2019)
1975 – West Indies: The Start of Something Special
The first World Cup was held in England and there were 8 teams that played 60-overs matches.
- Final: West Indies vs Australia
- Highlight: Clive Lloyd’s furious hundred led Windies’ to 17 runs triumph.
- Importance: West Indies were crowned inaugural champions of the World Cup.
1979 – West Indies Reign Supreme Again.
Once more, the forces of West Indies had swept all before them with their swashbuckling batting and terrifying pace bowling.
- Final: West Indies vs England
- Key Player: Viv Richards’ blazing 138* took the Windies to 286/9.
- Result: West Indies won by 92 runs and held on to their title.
1983 – India Creates History
India defied all odds and all critics to win for Kapil Dev the World Cup.
- Final: India vs West Indies
- Moment: India dismissed West Indies for a paltry 140.
- Outcome: India won by 43 runs – a historic victory that changed the face of Indian cricket forever.
1987 – Australia’s First Triumph
For the first time, the World Cup left England and was co-hosted by India and Pakistan.
- Final: Australia vs England
- Highlight: David Boon and their disciplined bowling beat Australia by 7 runs.
- Impact: Lit the fuse of Australia’s World Cup golden run.
1992 – Pakistan’s Unforgettable Win
Coloured clothing, white balls and day-night games were introduced in 1992.
- Final: Pakistan vs England
- Key Moment: Imran Khan’s inspiring leadership saw Pakistan rescue a poor opening to their campaign.
- Result: Pakistan won the match by 22 runs to win their first title ever.
1996 – Sri Lanka’s Fairytale Victory
Sri Lanka, the underdogs, became winners with their aggressive brand of batting.
- Final: Sri Lanka vs Australia
- Highlight: Aravinda de Silva’s all-round effort (107* and 3 wickets).
- Result: Sri Lanka wins by 7 wickets – their maiden World Cup.
1999 – Australia’s Comeback Glory
Played in England, this was a competitve tournament.
- Final: Australia vs Pakistan
- Highlight: Australia’s bowlers skittled Pakistan for just 132.
- Result: Australia chased comfortably, defeating India by 8 wickets.
2003 – Australia’s Complete Dominance
Co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya, saw winners Australia go undefeated during the tournament.
- Final: Australia vs India
- Highlight: Ricky Ponting was at his punishing best, blasting 140* to propel Australia to 359/2.
- Result: Australia won by 125 runs - a thumping victory.
2007 – Australia Makes it Three in a Row
Australia made it three World Cups in a row with victories in 1999, 2003 and 2007.
- Final: Australia vs Sri Lanka
- Highlight: Adam Gilchrist’s masterclass in the final with a blistering 149.
- Result: Australia won by 53 runs (D/L method).
- Record: First team to win three World Cups in a row.
2011 – India’s Emotional Triumph
The cup returned home after 28 years in the 2011 edition.
- Final: India vs Sri Lanka
- Highlight: Gautam Gambhir’s 97 and MS Dhoni’s legendary 91* (winning six).
- Venue: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
- Result: India won by 6 wickets – first victory at home.
2015 – Australia Reigns Again
Played in Australia and New Zealand, this was exciting cricket.
- Final: Australia vs New Zealand
- Highlight: Early wickets for Mitchell Starc and the captaincy of Clarke.
- Result: Australia by 7 wickets – their fifth World Cup victory.
2019 – England’s Dramatic Victory
The 2019 World Cup gave cricket perhaps its most dramatic final ever.
- Final: England vs New Zealand
- Highlight: Both teams were tied twice - once in the match and again in each team’s Super Over.
- Result: England win on boundaries-rule after the match is tied.
- Significance: England won their first World Cup at home.
Some interesting Facts about ICC World Cups (1975-2019)
- Most Titles: Australia – 5 (1987, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2015)
- Teams with Titles: West Indies, India -2; Pakistan, Sri Lanka, England – 1 each
- Most Final Appearances: Australia - 7 appearances
- Only Team to Win in Successive Years: West Indies (1975 & 1979), Australia (1999, 2003, 2007)
- First Team to Win at Home: India (2011)
- Highest Run Getter in an Edition: Sachin Tendulkar (673 runs, 2003)
- Highest Wicket-taker in a Tournament: Mitchell Starc (27 2019)
- Youngest Captain to Win: Kapil Dev (24, 1983)
- Most centuries in World Cups: Rohit Sharma (7 hundreds)
- Top Team Total: 417/6 by Australia v Afghanistan (2015)
Evolution of ICC World Cup Format
- 1975-1983: 60-over matches, 8 teams
- 1987: 50 overs a side
- 1992 – introduction of the round-robin with coloured jerseys
- 1996-2007: Group and Super Six/Super Eight formats
- 2011-2019: 14 to 10 teams; league + knockout format
- 10-team round robin with semifinals and final, from 2023 to??
ICC World Cup verdict on Worldwide Cricket
Indian Premier League may be top-notch and definitely popular. Chennai Super Kings has redefined it in.
- Three Captains also enhances the cricket infrastructure in participating countries
- Motivates young golf talent around the world
- Seals legendary careers – from Kapil Dev to Dhoni, Ponting to Ben Stokes
- Reinforces international cricket connection and fan culture
Every edition is adding value to cricket world and bringing together a sporting spirit along with the zeal and love for one’s own country.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Champions
From the West Indies’ stranglehold in the 1970s to England’s triumphant run last year, the ICC World Cup has been a mother lode of cricketing excellence over four decades and counting. It’s more than a tournament; it’s a celebration of skill, strategy and spirit.
Every World Cup throws up a fresh hero, another memory and an affirmation that cricket is not just a game – it’s a story of nations tied together by something even greater than patriotism- passion.
As cricket lovers years for the next tournament, what is guaranteed is that generations and generations of cricketers as well as fans will be inspired by the roll of honour from winners in 1975 to 2019.
