ODI World Cup is probably the biggest tournament that takes place in the game of cricket. It happens after every four years, with the top teams across the world taking part in this high-profile competition. Winning the ODI World Cup is a goal for every cricket team that takes up the sport. There have been 12 editions so far.
Australia is the most successful team with five wins, followed by India and West Indies with two titles each. There have been many dominating performances recorded in ODI WC history. We will going to discuss about those which ended with the biggest win. This article will have the biggest win margins in ODI World Cup history.
Highest Win Margin in Cricket World Cup
| Winner | Margin | Target | Event | Vs | Venue | Date |
| Australia | 275 runs | 418 | 2015 WC | Afghanistan | Perth | 4 Mar 2015 |
| India | 257 runs | 414 | 2007 WC | Bermuda | Port of Spain | 19 Mar 2007 |
| South Africa | 257 runs | 409 | 2015 WC | West Indies | Sydney | 27 Feb 2015 |
| Australia | 256 runs | 302 | 2003 WC | Namibia | Potchefstroom | 27 Feb 2003 |
| Sri Lanka | 243 runs | 322 | 2007 WC | Bermuda | Port of Spain | 15 Mar 2007 |
| South Africa | 231 runs | 352 | 2011 WC | Netherlands | Mohali | 3 Mar 2011 |
| Australia | 229 runs | 359 | 2007 WC | Netherlands | Basseterre | 18 Mar 2007 |
| South Africa | 221 runs | 354 | 2007 WC | Netherlands | Basseterre | 16 Mar 2007 |
| Australia | 215 runs | 349 | 2007 WC | New Zealand | St George’s | 20 Apr 2007 |
| West Indies | 215 runs | 331 | 2011 WC | Netherlands | Delhi | 28 Feb 2011 |
3. South Africa (257 runs) vs West Indies in 2015 ODI WC
The third biggest win in the ODI World Cup came when South Africa locked horns with West Indies in 2015. It was the 19th game of the tournament at Sydney Cricket Ground. The Proteas won the toss and elected to bat first. They had some brilliant contributions from the top to bottom. Hashim Amla (65), Faf du Plessis (62) and Rilee Rossouw (61 off 39) contributed with well-made half-centuries. But then came the fastest ODI 150 by skipper AB de Villiers.
He smashed an unbeaten 162 off 66 balls at a strike rate of 245.45. South Africa posted a huge total of 408/5 in the first inning. It was their highest total in ODI WC. In response, West Indies had a rusty performance, and they got bowled out for 151 runs in 33.1 overs. South Africa registered a win by 257 runs in that game.
2. India (257 runs) vs Bermuda in 2007 ODI WC
Another game where a team scored over 400 runs in the first inning and the second team got out early. This instance occurred during the 2007 ODI World Cup in the West Indies. It was the 12th game of the tournament between India and Bermuda in Port of Spain. India lost the toss and were put into bat first. That decision actually went well with them. India went on to post their highest WC total of 413/5 in the first inning.
For India, Virender Sehwag scored 114 off 87 balls. Sourav Ganguly (89), Yuvraj Singh (83 off 46), and Sachin Tendulkar (57* off 29) made healthy contributions. Chasing the target, Bermuda had another poor performance. They got all out for 156 runs and lost the game by a margin of 257 runs.
1. Australia (275 runs) vs Afghanistan in 2015 ODI World Cup
The biggest margin for win in an ODI World Cup match came in the 2015 mega event. It was the 26th game of the tournament in Perth between Australia and Afghanistan. After winning the toss, the Afghan chose to bowl first. This game saw a complete carnage from David Warner. The left-hander scored a huge century. He made 178 runs from 133 balls, including five sixes and 19 fours. Steve Smith missed a century and got out on a 98-ball 95.
In the end, Glenn Maxwell smashed a 21-ball half-century and made 88 off 39 balls, with six fours and seven sixes. Australia went on to score a massive score of 417/6 in the first inning, which was their highest total in ICC event. After the brilliant performance of the Australian batters, the bowling department also did a tremendous job. They bowled out Afghanistan for just 142 runs in 37.3 overs. Australia won that game by 275 runs.