Not every great player got the chance to hold World Cup. Every player wants to taste the glory, but sometimes they just can’t. It takes six editions of World Cups for the great Sachin Tendulkar to touch the trophy. But not every great player got this chance. Here are the 5 legendary cricketers of the game who entertained the world with their unmatchable talent but were not as lucky as Tendulkar.
Brian Lara
Lara Considered as one of the greatest batsmen in the history of cricket. Brian Lara was not just an elegant left-hander batsman but also possessed a sublime batting technique. He entertained the fans with his breathtaking stroke play. Despite his sheer brilliance, Lara’s career spanned a period when the West Indies struggled to replicate their past success in the World Cup.
Lara featured in 5 World Cups (1992, 1996, 1999, 2003, 2007) and the closest he came to lifting the trophy was reaching the semi-final in 1996, only to be beaten by the mighty Australians by a margin of 5 runs.
Waqar Younis
Waqar Younis also known as the “King of Swing” is one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time. He was injured at the time of the 1992 World Cup when Pakistan emerges as the winner. He discovered the art of reverse swing with the older ball and became really dangerous when the ball gets older. He became so unpredictable with his impeccable line and length and in addition, to reverse swing made him impossible to touch in death overs.
Younis’s ODI record tells the story of his brilliance. He has the record for most 5-wicket hauls in the history of ODIs. He was the part of 1999 World Cup when Pakistan reached in finals only to be defeated by the mighty Aussies.
Kumar Sangakkara
Sangakkara’s batting technique was a sight to behold. Blessed with exquisite timing and a vast range of shots, he was equally good at playing both pace and spin. His ability to effortlessly switch gears and dominate bowling attacks made him a formidable force in the ODI format. The stylish left-hander smacked four consecutive centuries during the 2015 world cup edition, but still can’t get over the line.
Sangakkara’s records are literally amazing. only Sachin Tendulkar had more ODI runs than him in ODIs when he retired. Sanga reached the closest to glory in 2007 and 2011 where he lost both the finals.
AB de Villiers
Modern-day great and known for his unorthodox style of stroke play and incredible athleticism, AB de Villiers enthralled cricket fans with his mind blowing performances. The South African superstar possessed the ability to single-handedly change the course of a game. His ODI average of 53.50 and a strike rate of more than 100 puts him in an elite category. He also owned the record for the fastest century of all time ODIs, a 31-ball ton against West Indies.
Unfortunately, South Africa’s World Cup campaigns during de Villiers’ career were destroyed by misfortune and unfulfilled potential. Despite having many records and individual brilliance, de Villiers never managed to win the World Cup title.
Jacques Kallis :
Jacques Kallis, One of the greatest all-rounders of all time and one of South Africa’s finest cricketers, left an incredible mark on the game. Known for his ever-dependable batting and consistent performance, Kallis contributed immensely to South Africa’s success over the years.
However, the South African side, despite their strength, has always been unlucky and endured repeated heartbreak in World Cups. He has scored over 10,000 runs and taken 250 wickets in the ODI format. Sanath Jayasuriya is the only one who also has this feat. Kallis, a legend of the game, retired without a World Cup.