6 Indians who were lucky to win the World Cup

Representing the country is an inexplicable feeling for any sportsperson. An athlete motivates himself or herself keeping this goal in sight, and playing for the nation is a fruit of their perseverance and toil over the years.

Winning international titles is an even better feeling, and there cannot be anything better than a career culminating with a World Cup victory, as in the case of demigod Sachin Tendulkar. While some other legends such as Rahul Dravid, Brian Lara, Jacques Kallis and Brendon McCullum have failed to lay their hands on the ultimate silverware, there have been some athletes who were lucky enough to sneak away with the zenith title.

Let's have a look at 6 Indians who were lucky to win the World Cup:

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#6 Munaf Patel

Munaf Patel burst into the international scenario as a raw exponent of pace in 2003. He became a regular feature in the bowling attack led by Zaheer Khan in the latter half of the previous decade.

Munaf overcame his fitness and consistency issues to cement a place in the 2011 World Cup squad. His decent run in the tournament was largely shadowed by the prowess of Zaheer Khan, and though, he was slightly expensive, emerged as a regular wicket taker.

Ironically, 2011 was the last year that Munaf donned the blue jersey, with a drop in his performances and the emergence of Umesh Yadav and Bhuvneshwar Kumar restricting his way back to the team.

#5 Ajit Agarkar

Ajit Agarkar formed a part of the Indian squad led by MS Dhoni in the inaugural World T20. Forming the senior most member of the relatively inexperienced squad, Agarkar failed to live up to the expectations.

He featured in just 2 games, and succeeded in picking just 1 wicket in the tied game against Pakistan. The Mumbai pacer had a high economy of 9.4, and was dropped in favour of a young Joginder Sharma in the Super 8 stage.

Agarkar has not featured in Indian colours since then, playing his last game for India against England in 2007.

#4 Yusuf Pathan

Yusuf Pathan was a part of the Indian squad in both the 20 over and 50 over World Cup victories under MS Dhoni. He burst into the international scenario in the inaugural World T20, replacing an injured Virender Sehwag in the final. A six over mid wicket off Mohammad Asif was a testament to his potential. However, this potential could not be justified with inconsistent outings.

With a couple of good overseas performances, Pathan made a cut in the the World Cup squad of 2011, however had to vie for his place with Suresh Raina. Infact he was dropped in the knockout stages in the favour of Raina. Pathan's performance took an abysmal dip post 2011 and had to make way for other performers.

#3 Piyush Chawla

Piyush Chawla, like Yusuf Pathan, was the amongst the ones to register their name in the victorious squads of 2007 as well as 2011. He won the victor's medallion in 2007 without taking field in any of the matches in South Africa.

Chawla was not a regular feature in the side and featured in just 3 games in the group stage. He leaked runs at an economy of 6.2, and was substituted towards the business end of the tournament in favour of a young Ravichandran Ashwin.

Chawla could not make a comeback in the side post the World Cup, as new guns Ashwin and Jadeja spun their way into the limited overs side.

#2 Joginder Sharma

Joginder Shama, someone who was not even heard of prior to the ICC World T20 2007, became a household name overnight after his stoic final over against Pakistan, being hailed as the hero of the final.

12 runs, 6 balls, an India vs Pakistan Final and a World Cup at stake - It was at this crucial juncture that Dhoni decided to do things in the 'Mahi way', handing the ball to Sharma, who had an exorbitantly high economy of 9.3 and 3 scalps of Mike Hussey, Brett Lee, and Younis Khan to his name.

Joginder Sharma, after bowling a wide and a dot got hit for a giant six by Misbah ul Haq, and it seemed that the inexperience of Dhoni had cost India the World Cup. However, a brief chat was followed a slow delivery outside the off stump, which was scooped by Misbah right into the hands of Sreesanth at short fine-leg. India were crowned World Champions in the shortest format.

Surprisingly, Sharma did not feature in Indian colours again and has been serving in the Haryana police since then.

#1 S Sreesanth

Sreesanth is most popularly remembered for his final winning catch of Misbah ul Haq at short fine leg. He formed a part of the squads of 2007 as well as 2011, but left much desiring with his largely lacklustre outings n both editions. The Kerala paceman was highly expensive with in the World T20 apart from the semi final, where he cleaned up the threatening Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden.

Sree also featured in the first and last fixtures of the 2011 World Cup, playing in place of an injured Ashish Nehra in the final. He, too, has not donned the blue colours since the historic final and played his last Test in 2011. Sreesanth was involved in a spot fixing scandal during IPL 2013, and the BCCI has barred him from playing competitive cricket since then.