The Prudential World Cup, also known as the ICC Cricket World Cup, is the premier international cricket tournament in the world, contested by teams from different countries. The first edition of the World Cup was held in 1975, and it has since become one of the most eagerly anticipated and highly watched sporting events in the world.

The idea for a world cup of cricket was first proposed by the legendary English cricket administrator, Sir Jack Hayward, in the early 1970s. Hayward believed that a world cup tournament would give a much-needed boost to international cricket, and help to promote the sport to a wider audience. His vision was eventually realized in 1975, when the first Prudential World Cup was held in England.

The tournament was contested by eight teams: Australia, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the West Indies, and East Africa (a combined team featuring players from Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda). The teams were divided into two groups of four, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semi-finals.

The first World Cup was a resounding success, attracting large crowds and generating widespread media coverage. The West Indies emerged as the champions, defeating Australia in the final at Lord's Cricket Ground in London. Clive Lloyd, the captain of the West Indies team, played a crucial role in the team's victory, scoring a century in the final and leading his team with distinction throughout the tournament.

Since its inception in 1975, the World Cup has undergone several changes in format and structure. The number of teams participating in the tournament has increased, with the current format featuring 10 teams competing in a round-robin league followed by knockout stages. The tournament has also been hosted by different countries, with England, Australia, India, and the West Indies hosting multiple editions of the tournament.

The World Cup has produced some of the most memorable moments in cricket history, including the famous 'underarm incident' in the 1981 final between Australia and New Zealand, and the thrilling tie between India and England in the 2011 tournament. The tournament has also produced some of the greatest cricketers in history, such as Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, Ricky Ponting, and Virat Kohli.