The ODI World Cup winner list tells the glorious story of cricket — from the first ball bowled in 1975 to Australia’s record-breaking win in 2023. Every edition brought new heroes, heartbreaks, and moments that defined generations of fans.
If you’ve ever wondered who won the ODI World Cup, which country has the most titles, or which finals became legends of the game, this guide covers it all — in one place.
The ICC ODI Cricket World Cup is the biggest tournament in men’s international cricket.
It’s played every four years, organised by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
The first edition was hosted by England in 1975, with each team playing 60-over matches. Later, the format changed to 50 overs, which remains in place today.
From the West Indies’ early dominance to Australia’s golden era, the ODI World Cup has produced champions who shaped cricketing history.
Here’s the full ODI World Cup winners list from the very first edition in 1975 to the latest in 2023:
Year | Winner | Host Nation(s) | Runner-Up | Final Venue | Winning Captain |
1975 | West Indies | England | Australia | Lord’s, London | Clive Lloyd |
1979 | West Indies | England | England | Lord’s, London | Clive Lloyd |
1983 | India | England | West Indies | Lord’s, London | Kapil Dev |
1987 | Australia | India & Pakistan | England | Eden Gardens, Kolkata | Allan Border |
1992 | Pakistan | Australia & New Zealand | England | MCG, Melbourne | Imran Khan |
1996 | Sri Lanka | India, Pakistan & Sri Lanka | Australia | Lahore | Arjuna Ranatunga |
1999 | Australia | England | Pakistan | Lord’s, London | Steve Waugh |
2003 | Australia | South Africa, Zimbabwe & Kenya | India | Johannesburg | Ricky Ponting |
2007 | Australia | West Indies | Sri Lanka | Bridgetown, Barbados | Ricky Ponting |
2011 | India | India, Sri Lanka & Bangladesh | Sri Lanka | Wankhede, Mumbai | MS Dhoni |
2015 | Australia | Australia & New Zealand | New Zealand | MCG, Melbourne | Michael Clarke |
2019 | England | England & Wales | New Zealand | Lord’s, London | Eoin Morgan |
2023 | Australia | India | India | Ahmedabad | Pat Cummins |
From Clive Lloyd’s fearless West Indies to Pat Cummins’ tactical Australia, the list reflects nearly five decades of cricket’s evolution.
Which country has won the most ODI World Cups? Here’s a quick breakdown:
Country | Titles | Years Won |
Australia | 6 | 1987, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2015, 2023 |
India | 2 | 1983, 2011 |
West Indies | 2 | 1975, 1979 |
Pakistan | 1 | 1992 |
Sri Lanka | 1 | 1996 |
England | 1 | 2019 |
Australia sits comfortably on top with six titles, the most by any team in ODI history.
India and the West Indies follow with two each — proof of their golden cricket eras.
If you love batting records, check out our breakdown of the most runs in ODI World Cup to see which legends ruled the scoreboard.
Let’s relive a few of the most iconic ODI World Cup finals that changed cricket forever:
Nobody expected India to beat the mighty West Indies. But under Kapil Dev, India shocked the world.
That win didn’t just give India its first World Cup; it gave the nation the belief that anything was possible.
Led by Imran Khan, Pakistan bounced back from early defeats to lift their first World Cup.
The green shirts played fearlessly, and the MCG erupted as Wasim Akram delivered magical spells in the final.
28 years after 1983, India lifted the cup again — this time on home soil.
MS Dhoni’s match-winning six in Mumbai remains one of the most unforgettable moments in cricket history.
England and New Zealand battled in the closest ODI final ever.
After a tie and a Super Over, England won on boundary count — a rule later changed due to the drama it caused.
Facing India in front of 100,000 fans at Ahmedabad, Australia, delivered a clinical performance.
Travis Head’s century sealed their sixth World Cup title, reaffirming their dominance in world cricket.
India’s ODI World Cup story is full of ups, downs, and unforgettable glory.
1975–1983: Early struggles but crowned champions under Kapil Dev in 1983.
1996: Semifinal heartbreak against Sri Lanka.
2003: Reached the final under Sourav Ganguly, but lost to Australia.
2011: Triumphant on home soil under MS Dhoni’s captaincy.
2019 & 2023: Strong campaigns but fell short in the knockouts.
India remains one of the most consistent teams in World Cup history — with match-winners like Tendulkar, Dhoni, Kohli, and Rohit Sharma leading the charge.
Cricket is a game of numbers, and the ODI World Cup has seen some legendary stats:
Most Runs in ODI World Cup History: Sachin Tendulkar (2,278 runs)
Most Wickets: Glenn McGrath (71 wickets)
Highest Team Total: Australia – 417/6 vs Afghanistan (2015)
Lowest Team Total: Canada – 36 vs Sri Lanka (2003)
Most Centuries: Rohit Sharma (7 centuries)
Most Titles (Team): Australia – 6 titles
These records highlight why the ODI World Cup remains the most cherished cricketing event on the planet.
Here are some quick, fun facts for every cricket lover:
Only two teams have defended their World Cup title — West Indies (1975–79) and Australia (1999–2007).
The first three editions (1975–83) were played with red balls and white clothing.
Kenya reached the semifinals in 2003 — the biggest surprise in World Cup history.
Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for most runs in a single World Cup (673 in 2003).
The 2019 final remains the only World Cup decided by a Super Over.
Every champion on the ODI World Cup winner list has left a lasting mark on cricket.
The tournament has evolved from being just a competition to a global festival of sport, uniting billions of fans.
With the next edition set for 2027 in South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe, the stage is ready for a new hero and a new story.
From Clive Lloyd’s dominance in the 70s to Pat Cummins’ cool leadership in 2023, every team on this list earned their place through courage, teamwork, and passion.
The ODI World Cup winner list (1975–2023) is not just about who lifted the trophy — it’s a timeline of cricket’s greatest stories.
So, who will be next on this list?
We’ll find out in 2027, but one thing’s for sure — the spirit of the World Cup will never fade.
To explore the women’s side of the sport, don’t miss our article on the Women’s Premier League 2024 and how it’s changing cricket forever.
I’m Avijit Brahma, a cricket enthusiast who enjoys dissecting games, evaluating player performances, and offering my opinions on the sport. I’m here to share my thoughts, ideas, and everything about cricket, whether it’s a thrilling finish or a knock that breaks records. Let’s have a proper conversation about cricket!