Playing at the grand stage of the World Cup and performing well in the mega event is the aim of every top-tier cricketing nation. However, not all teams can achieve big at the grand tournament in every edition. The World Cup happens once in every two or four years, and there are constant changes happening in teams.
Because of the changes and also the different venues where the matches take place, there are always different results at different World Cups. Over the last 15-20 years, there have been six instances when the heavyweights could not make it beyond the opening round itself. Here’s a list of six such instances.
1. India, World Cup 2007
India were runners-up in the 2003 ODI WC but were knocked out of the group stage in 2007. They lost their group matches against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh and failed to make it to the Super 8s.
2. West Indies, T20 WC 2022
Two-time champions West Indies had to play Round 1 in the ongoing T20 WC. They lost to Scotland and Ireland and could not qualify for the Super 12.
3. Pakistan, World Cup 2007
Like India, Pakistan suffered an early exit from the 2007 WC. They lost their group matches against Ireland and West Indies, missing out on Super 8s.
4. England, 2015 WC
England had a disastrous 2015 WC campaign in Australia. They only won their matches against Afghanistan and Scotland, suffered four defeats and failed to qualify for quarterfinals.
5. West Indies, 2007 T20 WC
West Indies failed to qualify for the Super 8s in the inaugural edition of the T20 WC. They lost their group matches against South Africa and Bangladesh, crashing out early.
6. Australia, T20 WC 2009
Not many fans would remember that Australia also suffered a first-round exit in T20 WC once. It was in England in 2009, when they lost their group matches against Sri Lanka and West Indies, returning home without a victory.
