The turn of the 21st century saw South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Kenya co-hosting the Cricket World Cup, with politics casting a shadow over the matches. 

Discussing the 2003 World Cup, Rajdeep Sardesai and Nikhil Naz recount Zimbabwe's political turmoil, led by Robert Mugabe's dictatorship and human rights abuses, that prompted New Zealand and England to boycott matches there. This fusion of politics and sports ignited debates on the world stage.

New Zealand's refusal to play in Kenya due to security concerns added to the tournament's political dimension, raising questions about the intersection of sports and global issues.

Controversies unfolded on and off the field. Shoaib Akhtar broke records with a 161 kmph delivery, while Shane Warne faced a drug abuse scandal linked to performance enhancement. Indian players protested ICC's ban on endorsing personal brands during the event.

The final between Australia and India became a pivotal memory, marked by Zaheer Khan's crucial first over. A pre-game psychological tactic by Australia added intrigue.

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Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound Mix by Sachin Dwivedi