CWC History: Top 3 daring decisions in the tournament that worked wonders

Sometimes, the tactical aspect plays a key role in determining the outcome of a cricket match. Decision taken by captains can change the course of the game or even sometimes the course of a player's career.

Cricket is the only sport where the captain plays an extremely important role and it is perhaps one aspect which tends to have the greatest impact on the result of a match. In a prestigious tournament like the World Cup such decisions matter even more.

With the ICC World Cup only 3 days away, we have a look at 3 of the most daring decisions taken in the previous editions of the World Cup that paid off.

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#1 Playing Inzamam-ul-Haq in the 1992 World Cup semi-final

Inzamam-ul-Haq

Before the 1992 World Cup semi-final, Inzamam-ul-Haq had a string of low scores to his name and his place in the side was questioned by several cricket pundits. To add to his problems he was unwell the day before the semi final clash but Imran Khan was adamant on him playing the match. Maybe, his captain had seen something in him which the world hadn't.

New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat first. Mark Greatbatch departed early but it was Martin Crowe who was once again in magnificent touch and took the Kiwis to a formidable total of 262.

Pakistan were going smoothly at one stage but they lost both Imran Khan and Saleem Malik in quick succession and were soon reduced to 140 for 4. The required rate had escalated to more than 8 runs per over and Pakistan's prospects of winning the match looked bleak at one stage. In came young Inzamam-ul-Haq to join Javed Miandad at the crease and what followed was absolute carnage.

Inzamam went after New Zealand's most successful bowler Chris Harris and hit him for two fours and a six in an over. Deepak Patel was not spared either as he unleashed a series of powerful sweep shots and brought the chase back on track for Pakistan. Inzamam completed his 50 in just 30 balls and took the game away from New Zealand in no time.

Inzamam eventually got run out towards the end of the innings but his blistering knock of 60 (39) took Pakistan to the final. He did not stop here and went on to play another valuable innings for his team in the final and helped Pakistan win the World Cup.

#2 Opening with Sanath Jayasuriya in the 1996 World Cup

Sanath Jayasuriya went on to beome one of the best openers the game has ever seen.

Until the 1996 World Cup, the cricketing world knew Sanath Jayasuriya as a middle order batsman and a useful left-arm spinner. In an era when cricket was played in a rather conservative manner, Sri Lanka played an aggressive brand of cricket in the 1996 World Cup and revolutionized the way cricket was to be played in the years to come.

Arjuna Ranatunga decided to open with Jayasuriya and gave him the license to go after the bowlers. He found an able ally in Romesh Kaluwitharana and together they destroyed bowling attacks throughout the tournament.

Jayasuriya ended the tournament with 221 runs and 7 wickets and was adjudged the Man of the Tournament. The decision to promote Jayasuriya at the top of the order was indeed a brave call but it paid off well in the end as Sri Lanka won the World Cup.

#3 MS Dhoni promoting himself to No. 5 in the 2011 World Cup final

When it mattered the most, MS Dhoni delivered for India.

Sri Lanka reached a competitive total of 274 on the back of a brilliant century by Mahela Jayawardene. India lost both their openers early and were reeling at 31 for 2. Virat Kohli along with Gautam Gambhir consolidated the innings and brought the chase back on track for India. Kohli was eventually dismissed by Tillakratne Dilshan for a well made 35.

It was 114 for 3 when MS Dhoni walked in ahead of in form Yuvraj Singh. The entire crowd was stunned and so were fans across the globe.Yuvraj had set the World Cup ablaze and Dhoni's highest score in the tournament had been a mere 34.

Dhoni knew that if Muttiah Muralitharan got into his groove, things would be difficult for India. Someone had to go after him and Yuvraj being a lefthander might have found it difficult to take him on specially with the ball turning away from him.

Dhoni took India over the line with an unbeaten 91 and India lifted the World Cup after 28 long years.