Cricket World Cup History: Ranking the five greatest innings in a losing cause

The World Cup is cricket's biggest stage and it is natural that the best in the business feature in this tournament. Players often reserve their best for the World Cup, with batsmen putting their best foot forward to lead their team to the title. Over the years, there have been a number of memorable knocks produced during the World Cup.

However, cricket is a team game and sometimes individual brilliance is not enough to win the match. There have been many instances when a batsman has essayed a brilliant knock, but has finished on the losing side. While those knocks didn't help their team to go across the line, but the efforts would forever be etched in the memories of the fans.

In this article, we have a look at the five greatest knocks played in the World Cup in losing causes.

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#5 Martin Crowe - 91 vs Pakistan 1992 World Cup

Martin Crowe

New Zealand were the co-hosts of the 1992 World Cup, along with Australia. The Kiwis were impressive throughout the tournament as they lost just one match in the group stages. Martin Crowe led his team from the front as he was the top-scorer of the tournament.

The legendary right-hander played a brilliant knock in the semi-final encounter vs Pakistan. The Kiwi skipper was unlucky to miss out on a well deserved century as he was run out for 91. Nevertheless, it was a great innings which included seven fours and three huge sixes.

New Zealand went on to amass 262/7 from 50 overs courtesy of half-centuries from Martin Crowe and Ken Rutherford. Set a target of 263, Rameez Raja and Imran Khan joined forces to put up an important 54-run second wicket stand.

With Raja, Khan and Saleem Malik back in the hut, the pressure was on Pakistan but Inzamam-ul-Haq scored 60 runs off 37 balls which helped Pakistan win by four wickets.

New Zealand failed to lift the trophy but Crowe's efforts will always be remembered as he was awarded the 'man of the series' award.

#4 AB de Villiers - 92 vs Australia, 2007 World Cup

AB de Villiers

In the 2007 World Cup, defending champions Australia put pressure on South Africa by setting a target of 378 for the Proteas in a group stage game. While the target was huge, South Africa started the chase with confidence as they had chased down 435 against Australia in 2006.

It seemed that history would repeat itself when the Proteas got off to a great start. Openers Graeme Smith and AB de Villiers launched a merciless attack on the Australian bowlers. AB de Villiers seemed to be a man on a mission as he treated the crowd with some incredible shots.

De Villiers scored 92 runs off 70 balls in innings which included 14 fours and two sixes. Yet, barring de Villiers' onslaught, none of the other batsmen, except Jacques Kallis could stay at the crease for a long time. Eventually, Australia won the match by 83 runs, and they also beat South Africa convincingly in the semifinal.

#3 Mohammad Azharuddin - 93 vs Australia, 1992 World Cup

Mohammad Azharuddin

In a high-voltage encounter between India and Australia, the defending champions Australia scored 237 in the first innings. The match was shortened to 47 overs, and India was set a revised target of 236. The visitors got off to a slow start as Ravi Shastri and Srikanth took their time at the crease.

Mohammad Azharuddin played a captain's knock as he took on the Australian bowlers. The stylish right-handed batsman missed out on a well deserved century as he was run out for 93, an innings comprised of 10 fours.

While the Indian captain was batting, the visitors seemed to be in a great position to win the game but once he was dismissed, India lost the plot.

A good innings by Sanjay Manjrekar, a 42-ball 47, and a cameo from Kiran More put India on the cusp of victory. However, the Australian bowlers kept chipping in with wickets and India lost three wickets in the last over as they succumbed to a one-run loss.

#2 Sachin Tendulkar - 90 vs Australia, 1996 World Cup

Sachin Tendulkar

On the back of a brilliant century from Mark Waugh, Australia were able to put a score of 258 in the first inning. India got off a horrible start as they lost some early wickets in the chase. including the dismissal of skipper Mohammad Azharuddin.

While wickets kept falling at one end, Sachin Tendulkar stuck to the basics on the other end. The Master Blaster did not show any mercy on the Australian bowlers as he hit 14 hours and one six but was unlucky to miss out on a century as he got out for 90.

While Sachin was batting, the hosts seemed to be the favorites to win the match. When he got out, none of the other batsmen were able to step up. Australians kept chipping in with wickets as the hosts fell short by 16 runs.

#1 Mahela Jayawardene - 103* vs India, 2011 World Cup

Mahela Jayawardene

Any century scored in International cricket is a great achievement. The century becomes even more special if it comes to a World Cup final. Mahela Jayawardene achieved just that in the final of the 2011 World Cup vs India.

At one stage, reaching a score of even 250 seemed to be difficult for Sri Lankans. The right-handed batsman launched an attack on the Indian bowlers in the slog overs. The legendary batsman completed his century as he scored 103 runs off 88 balls, which helped Sri Lanka to set a target of 275 for India.

Sri Lanka made a bright start when Lasith Malinga dismissed both Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar early. However, Gautam Gambhir and MS Dhoni played a brilliant innings to ensure that India lifted the coveted the trophy after 28 years.

Sadly, for Jayawardene and Sri Lanka, the brilliant innings went in vain as Sri Lanka lost the second World Cup final in a row.