Sports constantly leaves an ever-lasting impact on fans. Whether the team they cheer for wins or loses, the memories of the games get engraved in their minds for a lifetime. 2019 gave us some memorable moments in sports. Records were broken and seemingly impossible milestones were achieved, all in front of millions of fans around the world. Two most fantastic and exciting World Cups concluded this year. The Cricket World Cup in England will live long in the memory of cricket fans with lots of unforgettable moments. From the first game with Stokes’ catch against South Africa, to the England and New Zealand final with drama, cricket fans were treated with six weeks of brilliance.
2019 Rugby World Cup delivered some heart-warming and heart-breaking moments too. After 44 days of competition and 45 fiercely contested matches, South Africa edged England to lift the Rugby World Cup trophy for the third time.
MyTeam11 tried to narrow down all the incredible things that happened during these World Cups – some good, some bad, but all memorable.
GUPTILL RUNS OUT DHONI
Team India entered as favourites in the semi-final against the New Zealand but things didn’t turn out well for Men in Blue. Chasing 240 on the reserve day, the top order just collapsed adding only 5 runs to the scoreboard. Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya tried to steady the ship but failed to take it to the end. Struggling at 92/6, Ravindra Jadeja and ever so dependable MS Dhoni took the charge. The pair took India from 92 for 6 to 208 for 6 and Indian fans started to believe again. India needed 32 runs in 14 balls when Jadeja mistimed a slower ball and got caught. But fans were hopeful as Dhoni was still at the crease. But a throw for Martin Guptill shattered the hearts of billions. Guptill, who had an underwhelming World Cup with the bat, showed some brilliance on the field. With just one stump to aim at from 30-yards, Guptill took aim and broke the crucial partnership as New Zealand reached the final. That moment has left an indelible mark in Indian fans' memories.
That six along the ground!
The final of 2019 will definitely go down as one of the best ODI matches in the history. England won at the end on boundary counts, but it could have been different if Martin Guptill had thrown the ball straight to the keeper. In the final over with 9 to get in 3 balls, Ben Stokes hit the ball towards deep midwicket and sprinted for a two. However, a throw from Martin Guptill hit Stokes's bat and deflected for a boundary. England got six runs when they should've had only two. The equation dropped to 3 off 2 balls. The match ended in a tie and so did the Super Over, England were declared winners for having scored more boundaries and Blackcaps grieved.
England’s V against All Blacks
One of the most exciting moments of the Rugby World Cup was England’s reply to All Black’s Haka. While most teams stand in a line while facing the Haka, English players adopted a V-formation with a number of players standing over the halfway line. After breaking the hearts of New Zealand fansin Cricket World Cup, England Rugby team Shattered Kiwi’s dream again as Manu Tuilagi's second-minute try set the stage for a famous 19-7 victory. Although England’s V formation was appreciated by a lot of fans, England were eventually fined £2,000 for crossing the halfway during New Zealand’s performance. So, did your favourite World Cup moments of the year make it to this list?
