ICC ODI World Cup: In cricket, even if you’re a great player, it doesn’t always mean you’ll become a World Champion. This applies to many sports, but cricket has had some incredible players who never won the World Cup. Take Sachin Tendulkar, for instance. He had to wait for six tournaments before winning in 2011. Let’s look at five more great cricketers who weren’t as lucky as Tendulkar:
Legends who never won ICC ODI World Cup
5. Brian Lara
Brian Lara is famous for his remarkable achievements in Test cricket, but he also left a significant mark in One-Day Internationals (ODIs). Prior to him, only a handful of players had crossed the 10,000-run milestone in ODIs, and even today, he holds the 10th position on the all-time run-scorers list. Lara’s capacity to notch up three individual innings surpassing the 150-run mark was a rare and impressive accomplishment.
4. Waqar Younis
Waqar Younis, undeniably one of the greatest fast bowlers across all eras, had the misfortune of missing Pakistan’s historic 1992 World Cup victory due to an injury. Meanwhile, his teammate Wasim Akram delivered an outstanding performance with the ball, emerging as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker. Younis, celebrated for his expertise in reverse swing and knack for unsettling batsmen during the crucial late overs, boasts the record for the most five-wicket hauls in ODI history. Although he did manage to reach the final in 1999, Pakistan unfortunately lost to Australia.
3. Kumar Sangakkara
Kumar Sangakkara showcased his exceptional skills in one-day cricket during the 2015 World Cup. The elegant left-handed batsman managed to score four consecutive centuries in the tournament, highlighting his remarkable ability to accumulate runs consistently. Throughout his career, Sangakkara established himself as a proficient batsman and a skilled wicketkeeper. When he retired, only Sachin Tendulkar had scored more runs than him in ODIs.
2. AB De Villiers
AB de Villiers possessed an extraordinary batting talent that truly distinguished him from other cricketers. With a remarkable career ODI average of 53.50 and a strike rate exceeding 100, he had a league of his own. De Villiers also held the record for the fastest century in ODIs, achieving this feat in a mere 31 balls. Watching him at the crease was a delight for fans, as he possessed an uncanny ability to execute shots that were beyond the imagination of most.
1. Sourav Ganguly
Sourav Ganguly was a part of three World Cups, spanning from 1999 to 2007, and notably led India to the final in 2003. Beyond his individual cricketing prowess, Ganguly played a pivotal role in reshaping India into the formidable team it is today. His leadership as an assertive captain transformed the Indian squad into world-beaters. It was indeed regrettable that Ganguly couldn’t be a part of the victorious 2011 campaign, but his World Cup record speaks volumes, amassing 1006 runs in 22 matches at an impressive average of 55.88.
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