5 times favourites blew their chances of winning the World Cup

Winning the World Cup continues to be the ultimate dream for every international cricketer. The game's flagship event has enriched the careers of numerous players and embodied the legacies of several teams. However, the popular tournament has also provided quite a few heartbreaking moments for countries aspiring to lift the coveted trophy.

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Since the competition's inception in 1975, the pinnacle of the sport has seen plenty of upsets. Teams touted as favourites for going all the way have witnessed their dreams reducing to dust in a few pressure-filled moments of trepidation.

In reverse chronological order, let us relive five of the most heartbreaking moments suffered by promising contenders in World Cup history.

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#5 South Africa (2015)

The 2015 World Cup ended in a massive heart break for South African stars

Boasting several high-profile names such as AB de Villiers, Dale Steyn, Faf du Plessis, Hashim Amla and Imran Tahir, South Africa were considered serious contenders for the 2015 World Cup.

Although they had an ignominious legacy of choking at the slightest hint of pressure, the Proteas were backed by plenty of former cricketers to break their trophy drought. Despite suffering defeats at the hands of India and Pakistan in the group stage, the tournament's format meant that they sauntered into the knockouts.

A convincing 9-wicket victory against Sri Lanka redeemed their reputation even as the business stages of the tournament loomed. Winning the toss, South Africa amassed a strong total of 281 in the rain-truncated semi-final clash against New Zealand at Auckland. Amidst burgeoning expectations from their adoring fans, the hosts began their D/L re-enforced pursuit of 298 from 43 overs.

Riding on skipper Brendon McCullum's blazing cameo, the Kiwis made a strong statement in the early stages of the chase. However, Morne Morkel's three-wicket haul set the stage for a pulsating finish. At a time when the home team should have been the one to feel the pressure, South Africa imploded in spectacular fashion in the field.

Easy catches were dropped while straight-forward run-out chances were fluffed as a result of woeful gathering. Eventually, a rampaging Grant Elliot dispatched a length delivery from Dale Steyn into the stands and New Zealand cruised to their maiden final. On the other hand, the star-studded Proteas sunk to their knees in palpable agony.

#4 South Africa (1999)

Australia pulled off a last-gasp tie to leave South Africa in a state of utter disbelief

South Africa and Australia have fought some of the most epic battles in ODI history. If the 2006 Johannesburg ODI evoked a jaw-dropping gluttony of runs, the 1999 World Cup semi-final at Edgbaston produced an unforgettable classic.

The seventh edition of the iconic tournament was a keenly contested one with quite a few teams capable of lifting the trophy. Apart from the Aussies and Proteas, a flamboyant Pakistan side also had the potential to last the distance.

Containing a power-packed batting lineup and a dangerous bowling attack, South Africa were arguably the most attractive 50-over outfit during the 1999 World Cup. A shock defeat at the hands of Zimbabwe during the pool stages did nothing to suggest otherwise.

Even as Pakistan steamrolled New Zealand in the first semi-final, Hansie Cronje's team set up a dream date with Australia in the other knockout game.

After restricting their opponent to a below-par total of 213, South Africa's chances of reaching the summit clash appeared to be on the up swing. Shane Warne turned the game on its head by producing a vintage spell. Despite the leg-spinner's heroics, the Proteas rode on Lance Klusener's blitzkrieg to set the platform for a thrilling finish.

But a catastrophic miscommunication between the all-rounder and Allan Donald left the scores on level terms. While Australia progressed to the final by virtue of their superior net run-rate from the Super Six stage, South Africa were left ruing what could have been. More than 18 years may have passed since then. However, they have never really mentally recovered from the biggest choke of them all.

#3 India (1996)

Sachin Tendulkar's untimely dismissal triggered a fatal collapse for India

The image of a inconsolable Vinod Kambli leaving a frenzied Eden Gardens arena in tears ranks perhaps at the top of the most emotional moments in the long and illustrious history of the World Cup. India, who had entered the 1996 edition as strong contenders, were knocked out of the tournament by eventual champions Sri Lanka.

The eagerly awaited clash ended in disgraceful circumstances as match referee Clive Lloyd awarded the game to Arjuna Ranatunga's men following an embarrassing turmoil in the stands.

Despite its infamous ending, the semi-final began in a promising manner as a packed Kolkata crowd thronged the stadium in fervent anticipation of a memorable encounter. Led by Mohammad Azharuddin, the hosts were fresh off an euphoric triumph against arch-rivals Pakistan in the preceding match.

On a dusty surface expected to deteriorate sharply with time, Azharuddin surprisingly chose to bowl first. A sizzling spell from pace spearhead Javagal Srinath razed the dangerous Sri Lankan top-order.

But the visitors managed to reach a competitive total on the back of contrasting half-centuries from Aravinda de Silva and Roshan Mahanama. Chasing 252 for a place in the final, India relied on the in-form Sachin Tendulkar to get off to a strong start.

From sitting at 98/1, the wheels came off for India rather rapidly. When their batting icon was stumped off the bowling of Sanath Jayasuriya, the hosts folded meekly like a pack of cards. At 120/8, the writing was on the wall. Were it not for the fatal collapse, India's tournament could have gone on in a different route.

#2 Pakistan & India (1987)

Gooch's sublime century and Veletta's decisive cameo stunned India and Pakistan respectively

November 8, 1987 - the day was supposed to witness a World Cup final between perennial foes India and Pakistan at the iconic Eden Gardens. What could possibly go wrong?

While the Indians were the defending champions at that time, Imran Khan's troops acquired legions of fans across the subcontinent through their charismatic brand of cricket. Countless people in the region were holding their breath for such a dream final.

Instead, what they got was an unexpected tussle between Australia and England for a shot at the title.

Pakistan and Australia contested the first semi-final at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. When it seemed like the tourists were heading for a sub-par total, the unfancied Mike Veletta played the most crucial knock of the entire tournament and wrested momentum from the home team.

Although Imran and Javed Miandad threatened to pull off the stiff chase, the Aussies hung on to register a narrow victory. Allan Border's team would eventually go on to lift the trophy.

With the experienced Graham Gooch showing the way by scoring a splendid century, England's batting lineup negated the spin threats of Maninder Singh and Ravi Shastri by employing the sweep shot to perfection during the other semi-final.

When the turn of the bowlers came, they kept chipping away at frequent intervals to derail India's chase. Azharuddin's rapid 64 was not enough to prevent a 35-run defeat for the hosts.

#1 West Indies (1983)

Viv Richards' wicket proved to be the turning point in India's game-changing triumph of 1983

1983 will forever remain the watershed moment in Indian cricket. Following their unprecedented World Cup triumph, what had been a casual pass-time transformed itself into a national obsession and the starring players turned into heroes overnight. Not many gave them a chance against the all-conquering West Indies outfit filled with numerous intimidating names.

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Having seized the throne in 1975 and 1979, West Indies were on the cusp of a remarkable hat-trick of World Cup titles when the final of the 1983 edition began on a murky morning at the fabled Lord's Cricket Ground.

The fervour encapsulating the Caribbean icons only grew stronger after the imposing four-pronged pace battery limited India to just 183 runs. The team manager was instructed to get the champagne ready in order to celebrate the impending treble.

However, what transpired thereafter was scarcely believable. A batting lineup featuring the likes of Gordon Greenidge, Desmond Haynes, Viv Richards and Clive Lloyd failed to chase the puny total. Using the seam-friendly conditions to their advantage, the Indian medium pacers wreaked havoc on their unsuspecting opponents and secured a shock 43-run victory.

Despite suffering a defeat at the hands of Kapil Dev's irrepressible troops during their tournament opener, the fearsome West Indies team were made to pay dearly for their misplaced complacency in the final. They have not come any closer to reclaiming the World Cup since then.