Cricket History and Facts

Ricky Ponting scored 140 in the 2003 World Cup Final against India, and Aravinda De Silva scored 107 in the 1996 World Cup Final against Australia. Both are among the few players to have scored centuries in World Cup finals, making them the correct answers.

Dale Steyn took 5 wickets for 50 runs against India in the 2011 World Cup league match. This helped restrict India to 296 runs, though India still won the match.

Lasith Malinga took 4 wickets in 4 balls against South Africa in the 2007 World Cup. This is one of cricket's most famous bowling achievements, though it fell just short of a hat-trick.

Alan Donald was held responsible for South Africa's 1999 World Cup exit after his chaotic run-out in the semifinal against Australia. The famous tied match ended with Donald failing to complete the second run.

Deccan Chargers beat Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the 2009 IPL final to win their first IPL title. The match was played at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.

The fastest ODI half-century record has changed multiple times. AB de Villiers holds the current record (16 balls), but Sanath Jayasuriya previously held this record in the 1990s. Given the era of other options in this batch, the question likely refers to Jayasuriya's record.

The correct answer is C (Mohammed Azharuddin). Azharuddin captained India in the 1999 World Cup. Kapil Dev (A) had captained in the 1983 winning campaign but was not captain in 1999. Ajay Jadeja (B) was a key player but not captain. Sachin Tendulkar (D) was vice-captain but did not captain until later.

The correct answer is D (Rahul Dravid). Dravid was the highest run-scorer in the 1999 World Cup with 461 runs. Sachin Tendulkar (A) had a modest tournament. Ricky Ponting (B) and Sanath Jayasuriya (C) performed well but did not match Dravid's total.

In the 1999 Cricket World Cup, Sourav Ganguly scored 183 runs against Sri Lanka - one of the highest individual scores ever in World Cup history. Rahul Dravid also scored 183 in the same match (both scored 183 in a 318-run partnership), but Ganguly's innings is widely cited as a record-equalling performance.

Manoj Prabhakar conceded 47 runs in 4 overs in the 1996 World Cup league match between India and Sri Lanka. This was one of the most expensive bowling spells in World Cup history.

Gary Kirsten scored 188 not out against UAE in the 1996 World Cup, the highest individual score in that tournament. Saeed Anwar, Mark Waugh, and Sachin Tendulkar all scored centuries but none reached 188.

Sachin Tendulkar scored 523 runs in the 1996 World Cup, making him the leading run-scorer. Azharuddin was India's captain, Taylor was Australia's captain, and De Silva was the Man of the Tournament but scored less than Tendulkar.

Mark Waugh scored 484 runs in the 1996 World Cup, making him the second-highest run-scorer after Tendulkar. De Silva was the Man of the Tournament but scored fewer runs, Sidhu and Lara were not among the top two.

Aravinda De Silva scored a masterful 107 off 124 balls to rescue Sri Lanka from 3 for 15 and guide them to 251 for 4 in the 1996 World Cup semi-final against India at Eden Gardens. Ranatunga was the captain, Gurusinha also contributed, but De Silva was the key architect.

Anil Kumble was the leading wicket-taker in the 1996 World Cup with 15 wickets. He was instrumental in India's campaign, with notable performances including a crucial spell in the quarter-final against Pakistan.