India's best players in World Cup history

Sachin and Sehwag would be perfect to open the innings
Sachin and Sehwag would be perfect to open the innings

The ICC World Cup is scheduled to take place in June 2019 in England with the top 10 teams battling it out for the ultimate glory. Unlike the previous editions, there will be no groups as all the teams will face each other once before the semifinals.

India are currently one of the favourites to lift the Cup after having fallen short in the semifinals last time around to Australia. They won the World Cup in 2011 back in India, defeating Sri Lanka in the final of the tournament. The 2007 tournament was a one to forget for the Men in Blue as they were knocked out in the group stages.

India are currently the no. 2 side in ODIs, behind England, who recently defeated India in the ODIs and Tests held in England.

There have been many players over the years who have helped India achieve lots of success in the World Cup stage.

Let’s take a look at the best players produced by India in World Cups.

Note: Only those players who have played more than 10 World Cup matches have been included.

Sachin Tendulkar

The Master Blaster is India’s top run-getter in World Cups, apart from being the overall top run-getter in the world as well. Sachin was an indispensable part of India’s World Cup units right from 1992. He has played the most number of World Cups for India and finally got his hands on the trophy in 2011 in his own backyard.

He has scored 2278 runs in 45 matches at an average of 56.95 with 6 centuries and 15 half-centuries to his name.

Virender Sehwag

Virender Sehwag was the perfect partner to Sachin Tendulkar at the top of the order. He gave India the perfect start on numerous occasions in the World Cup. He made a mark for himself in the 2011 edition, hitting a four of the first delivery of almost every match.

He has scored 843 runs in 22 matches at an average of just below 40. He has 2 centuries and 3 half-centuries to his name.

Sourav Ganguly

Sourav Ganguly
Sourav Ganguly

Sourav Ganguly led the Indian side to the final of the World Cup in 2003. He is the only batsman after Sachin to have scored more than 1000 runs in World Cup cricket for India.

He produced many memorable knocks with the bat and contributed with the ball as well. Overall, he scored 1006 runs in 21 matches at an average of 55, with 4 centuries and 3 half-centuries to his name. He also holds the record of the highest individual score by an Indian in World Cup history.

Yuvraj Singh

Yuvraj Singh
Yuvraj Singh

Yuvraj Singh was the rock in the middle-order for the Men in Blue for many years. His all-round performance in 2011 helped India lift the Cup after 28 years and he was awarded the Man of the Tournament award for his efforts throughout the tournament. He scored 738 runs in 23 matches at an average 52.71, with one century and 7 half-centuries to his name. He also picked up 20 wickets.

Rahul Dravid

Rahul Dravid
Rahul Dravid

It might come as a surprise to see the “Wall” on this list but the truth is that Rahul Dravid was one of India’s top performers in World Cup history with the bat. He provided stability in the middle-order and on many occasions showcased his big-hitting ability as well. He is India’s third highest run-getter in World Cup history after Tendulkar and Ganguly.

Overall, he has scored 860 runs in 21 innings at an average of 61.25, which is the best for any Indian batsmen with more than 300 World Cup runs.

MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni
MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni became only the second Indian captain after Kapil Dev to captain India to World Cup success.

He led the team to the title in 2011 and played a match-winning innings in the final as well. Overall, he scored 507 runs in 17 innings at an average of 42 and with 3 half-centuries to his name. He is still a part of India’s ODI set-up and will look to play the World Cup next year.

Kapil Dev

Kapil Dev
Kapil Dev

Kapil Dev created history by becoming the first Indian captain to lift the World Cup, when the team defeated West Indies in the final of the 1983 edition of the tournament at the Lord’s in England.

Kapil was not only a great captain but was one of the best all-rounders in the world as well. He scored 669 runs with the bat and picked up 28 wickets with the ball in 26 matches.

Mohinder Amarnath

Mohinder Amarnath
Mohinder Amarnath

Another player from the 1970s and 1980s, who contributed significantly was Mohinder Amarnath. He contributed with the bat and the ball and was an extremely important player of the Indian side which lifted the World Cup in 1983. He picked up 16 wickets and scored 254 runs in 14 matches.

Zaheer Khan

Zaheer Khan
Zaheer Khan

The left-arm pacer was arguably India’s best pacer in World Cups. He was their leading wicket-taker in 2011, when they lifted the World Cup.

Along with Javagal Srinath, he is the highest wicket-taker for India in World Cups, with 44 wickets to his name in just 21 matches.

Anil Kumble

Anil Kumble
Anil Kumble

India’s leading wicket-taker in Tests had an extremely successful ODI career as well, especially in World Cups. He troubled batsmen with the spin and bounce he generated and kept picking up wickets at regular intervals in the match.

He has 31 wickets to his name in 18 matches.

Javagal Srinath

Javagal Srinath
Javagal Srinath

He was India’s fastest bowler during his time and was a nightmare for opposition batsmen. Apart from the 2003 World Cup, he achieved a lot of success in the tournaments held in the 1990s.

Along with Zaheer, he was India’s leading wicket-taker in World Cups, with 44 wickets to his name in 34 matches.

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Edited by Prathik R