ODI World Cup 2023: Best century, wickets, impact knock and catches so far

Mohammed Shami has two five-wicket hauls in the 2023 ODI World Cup already, but perhaps his most impactful performance yet was the 4/22 vs England. (File photo via X)

Cricket World Cup means records galore. These numbers stand the test of time, and the matches become part of history. Records have been tumbling at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: the 771-run aggregate between Australia and New Zealand is the highest in a World Cup game, besides South Africa's total of 428/5 against Sri Lanka.

And from October 5 — the day the tournament started — to October 31, teams have registered 350-plus totals on eight occasions, surpassing seven in World Cup 2015.

Here is a list of the best of the best.

Best century: Glenn Maxwell's 40-ball 100

Maxwell's knock was an exhibition of modern-day cricket. He pumped sixes around the park with switch-hits, reverse and slog sweeps. With the 40-ball 100 against the Netherlands in Delhi, he surpassed Aiden Markram of South Africa, who had smashed a ton off 49 against Sri Lanka earlier in the tournament.

Maxwell has been the X factor of Australia in the last two games. The carnage at Kotla eventually guided the five-time champions to 399; Maxwell finished at 106 off 44 (4x9, 6x8). Against New Zealand in Dharamsala, his 41 off 24 (4x5, 6x2) took the Aussies to 388. His contribution stood in handy as the Kiwis lost only by five runs.

In World Cup 2015, Maxwell had smashed a 51-ball 100 against Sri Lanka, which still ranks in the top five, below Irishman Kevin O' Brien's 50-ball ton against England in 2011.

Best bowling performance: Mohammed Shami's 4/22 vs England

For the second World Cup in a row, Shami did not start in the XI for Team India. He walked in against New Zealand and straightaway returned with a five-wicket haul. However, his performance against England, though one wicket less, stands crucial in the context of the game.

India set a low 230-run target for England at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami caused the bulk of the damage, as the Englishmen were all out for 129.

Shami set up Stokes with his variations and length. After giving him a tinge of outswing for the first four deliveries, he angled one in to rattle the stumps in the fifth. Later, Jonny Bairstow chopped one of Shami's fiery deliveries while trying to play on backfoot. Moeen Ali nicked one to K.L. Rahul behind, which was more of a conventional dismissal, and in the end, he clean-bowled Adil Rashid.

Best impact knock: Rohit Sharma's 87 in Lucknow

Losing three top-order batters with only 40 runs on the board isn't an ideal situation for any side. Team India could not score freely in the middle overs on a tricky wicket in Lucknow. Rohit handled the situation with experience. He held back when needed and cut it loose if a poor delivery came his way.

Rohit batted at a strike-rate of 86.13 with ten fours and three sixes. Overall, his strike-rate has been hovering around the 120-mark in the World Cup. The six off Mark Wood after reaching his half-century was the shot of the match. The English fast bowler angled the ball down leg, and Rohit flicked it off his hips.

The Indian captain caught the attention of batting legend Sunil Gavaskar, who was impressed by the tailored approach and controlled aggression.

Best catches: Jadeja, Santner, Rabada rule the roost

All batters are wary of Ravindra Jadeja's fielding when playing against India. The Indian all-rounder, regarded as one of the best fielders in recent years, has a habit of plucking catches out of thin air.

Bangladesh were in a precarious position against India, but senior batter Mushfiqur Rahim was still on crease. In the 43rd over, he tried to clear the backward point area off a Bumrah delivery pitched outside off. Jadeja flew to his right to catch the offering. Rahim perished for a fighting 38, with Bangladesh at 199 for the loss of six wickets. Eventually, they ended at 256, and India chased it down with 51 balls to spare.

Kagiso Rabada pulled off an athletic catch against England when he sprinted to his left to catch Willey off Lungi Ngidi. The defending champions were strangled for 170 in their chase of 400.

Earlier in the tournament, Mitchell Santner's one-hander to dismiss Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi off Lockie Ferguson was quite a fielding spectacle. The Kiwi bowlers restricted the Afghans within 139 in their chase of 289.