7 players who have won the Man of the Tournament Award in World Cups

The ICC Cricket World Cup is the most coveted international cricketing event in the game's history. Started in 1975, there have been 11 editions so far and Australia have won the most number of World Cups winning 5 times. West Indies won the first 2 editions and India have won the World Cup twice while Sri Lanka and Pakistan have won once.

The Man of the Match award is a sign of great individual achievement for a player and gives them confidence. Sachin Tendulkar has the most number of Man of the Match awards in World Cup games winning it 9 times. Also, highly significant is the Player Of The Tournament award which was brought into practice from the 1992 World Cup. No player has won it more than once and it's one of the most prestigious awards a cricketer can get.

Let's see who the players are.

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#1992 - Martin Crowe ( New Zealand) - Batsman- Innings:9| Runs: 456

Australia v New Zealand - 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup

Martin Crowe was the captain of the New Zealand side in the 1992 World Cup. The tournament was hosted by Australia and New Zealand. Crowe finished as the highest run scorer in the tournament and finished off with 456 runs in 9 innings at an average of 114 and a strike rate of 92 which was simply phenomenal. New Zealand made it to the semifinals of the tournament against eventual winners Pakistan after topping their group in the group stage.

In the semis, Crowe starred with the bat, scoring 91 runs off 83 balls which was considered a great strike rate and great score at that time. New Zealand finished off with 262/7 in their 50 overs, however, when Pakistan batted, he chose to stay off the field and rest an injured hamstring, with John Wright taking over on the field.

Pakistan won the match by 4 wickets denying Martin and the Kiwis a place in the World Cup finals. He was nevertheless congratulated by one and all and made history by being the first recipient of this highly coveted award. He passed away 2 years ago at the age of 53 due to cancer.

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#1996 - Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka) Innings: 8| Runs: 221| Wickets:7

Sanath Jayasuriya became the second recipient of this award. The dazzling batting all-rounder from Sri Lanka revolutionized modern day batting and thrashed teams during the power play and was one of the first players to make use of the fielding restrictions. Sri Lanka won the 1996 World Cup after hammering India in the semis and being declared winners by default due to crowd disturbance and then defeated Australia in the finals.

Sanath Jayasuriya

Jayasuriya scored 221 runs in the World Cup at an average of 38 and a strike rate of 131 which was absolutely unheard of at that point. He also picked up 7 wickets at an economy of 3.96 and was a great all-rounder. Though there were other contenders, like Sachin with 523 runs or Aravinda De Silva with 447 runs, Jayasuriya was chosen as the Player of the Tournament due to the importance and timing of his all-round performances.

#1999 - Lance Klusener (South Africa) All Rounder| Innings: 8| Runs:281| Wickets:

Lance Klusener

Lance Klusener was probably the best player in the 1999 World Cup. The South African all-rounder was in top form throughout the tournament. He was involved in a freak run out in a nail-biting semi-final loss to Australia and his heroics with both bat and ball went in vain as Australia advanced to the final despite the scores being level.

He was exceptional and aggressive with the bat scoring 281 runs in 8 innings lower down the order at an exceptional average of 140 and a strike rate of 121. He was also their spearhead in the bowling department and picked up 17 wickets in 9 matches averaging a brilliant 19 and an economy rate of 4.42. He also won 4 Man of the Match awards and was rightfully voted as the Player of the Tournament.

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#2003- Sachin Tendulkar ( India)- Batsman- Innings: 11| Runs: 673

Sachin Tendulkar (left) of India is given a pat on the back by his partner

India's star batsman Sachin Tendulkar won the award in the 2003 World Cup where India made it to the finals of the tournament.

They won the toss and chose to field, which turned out to be a wrong choice as Australia piled 359 runs on the board and India lost the match by 118 runs. Sachin was undoubtedly the best player as he scored a whopping 673 runs in the tournament.

He averaged 62 and scored at a strike rate of 90 and scored one 100 and six 50s in the tournament. He won 3 Man of the Match awards and one of his best innings was 98 off 75 balls which he scored against Pakistan. Sachin was rightfully adjudged the Player of the Tournament and was a positive despite India's loss in the semis.

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#2007- Glenn Mcgrath ( Australia)- Bowler- Matches: 11| Wickets: 26

Glenn Mcgrath was the Player of the Tournament in the 2007 World Cup. He was simply exceptional throughout the tournament and picked up 26 wickets in 11 matches and averaged an excellent 13.73 with an economy rate of 4.21. Australia won their fourth World Cup in the West Indies.

Glenn Mcgrath

They played the final against Sri Lanka and beat them comprehensively in a rain-shortened encounter. Matthew Hayden was the tournament's highest run scorer and scored 659 runs and made a case for the award but McGrath was chosen to receive the award. He announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket after this World Cup.

#2011- Yuvraj Singh ( India) All Rounder- Innings: 8| Runs: 362| Wickets: 15

India won the ICC World Cup 2011 on home soil as they beat Sri Lanka in the finals to lift the trophy after 28 years. Yuvraj Singh, who struggled with cancer fought the battle without knowing about it during the tournament, and won the award.

He has not had the best comebacks to the game after recovering from cancer. He was however a leading factor for India's victory in the World Cup.

Yuvraj Singh

He scored 362 runs in 8 innings including a crucial hundred against West Indies which enabled India to qualify for the knockouts. He scored four 50s as well. He had an average of 90 and a strike rate of 87. He was brilliant with the ball too and chipped in with crucial wickets at the right moments. He picked up 15 wickets in 9 matches at an average of 23 and an economy of 4.82. He was rightfully declared the Player of the Tournament.

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#2015- Mitchell Starc (Australia) Bowler- Matches: 8| Wickets: 22

Australia v New Zealand - 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup: Final

Mitchell Starc was a sensation for the Australian team in the 2015 World Cup. The left arm pacer was simply unplayable and struck fear in the hearts of batsman. Australia and New Zealand, the hosts, squared off in the final and Starc ripped the Kiwi batting order which had been batting so well apart. He finished off with figures off 6 wickets for 28 runs in that match.

Captain Michael Clarke was given a grand send-off as he capped off his international cricket career with a World Cup win. Starc picked up 22 wickets in just 8 matches averaging a simply outstanding 10.18 at an economy rate of 3.50 and a strike rate of 17.40.

He was rightfully adjudged as the Player of the Tournament for his phenomenal performances with the ball, giving Australia its fifth World Cup title, this time on home soil.