Ranking the six centuries scored in a World Cup final

One of the most prestigious tournaments in the sport of cricket, the World Cup is one such competition that attracts a lot of attention. To represent the nation in this global tournament is an honor for each young cricketer, who aspires to play for the country.

Undoubtedly, when a certain side features in the summit clash of the World Cup, there is a lot of pressure on the players in such a situation. Each player looks to put their best foot forward to help his side secure the prestigious trophy.

So far, in the history of the World Cup, there have been only six players who have scored a century in the World Cup finals. Barring Mahela Jayawardena's century in the 2011 World Cup, all the other centuries have led their side to a title win.

Nonetheless, it is extremely special to score a century in a World Cup in front of the billions of fans watching the game all around the globe. Here, we rank the six centuries scored in a World Cup final.

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#6 Mahela Jayawardene (2011 World Cup) - 103 v India

Sri Lanka v Canada: Group A - 2011 ICC World Cup

Mahela Jayawardene was one of the leading batsmen in Sri Lanka's 2011 World Cup campaign. He scored 304 runs in 9 matches at an impressive average of 50.66 and in the final, his 88-ball 103 at a strike rate of 117.04 powered Sri Lanka to a respectable total of 274 against India.

However, owing to the heroic display of batting from Gautam Gambhir and Mahendra Singh Dhoni, both of who scored a half-century, Jayawardene's century went in vain as India chased the target in the 48th over and went on to lift their second World Cup.

#5 Vivian Richards (1979 World Cup) - 138 v England

Vivian Richards is regarded by many as one of the greatest batsmen in the history of the game. His aggressive batting technique in that era is still an inspiration followed by many current players such as Virat Kohli.

His innings of 138 runs in 157 balls came at a time when the mighty West Indies were in deep trouble in the 1979 World Cup final against England. Having lost four wickets for 99 runs, Richards and Collis King put on a formidable partnership of 139 runs to enable the team to reach a match-winning total of 286 runs.

The mighty West Indian bowlers were able to knock out the English batting line-up for just 194 runs as they registered a comfortable 92-run win in the end.

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#4 Aravinda de Silva (1996) - 107 v Australia

Aravinda De Silva in action

Aravinda de Silva will forever be remembered in the history of cricket for guiding Sri Lanka to its only World Cup triumph till date. In the 1996 final, Sri Lankan bowlers restricted the mighty Australian batting order to a decent total of 241.

In their chase, there were many hurdles in their way as they had to face the formidable Australian bowling line-up consisting of Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath. Despite the scoreboard pressure, Aravinda de Silva batted patiently and formed a match-winning partnership with Arjuna Ranatunga. His innings of 107 in 124 balls proved how good a batsman he was, thriving even under pressure.

#3 Clive Lloyd (1975 World Cup) - 102 v Australia

Clive Lloyd

Clive Lloyd was the captain of the most dominating and ferocious West Indies team of the 70s and 80s. Being a left-handed technically solid batsman, he was an instrumental force in helping the Windies to win back to back World Cups in 1975 and 1979.

In the 1975 World Cup final, Lloyd countered the strong Australian bowling attack comprising of Denis Lillee and Jeff Thomson solidly by scoring 102 in just 85 deliveries at a strike rate of 120. This strong batting performance enabled his side to mount a total of 291 and beat the Australians by 17 runs.

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#2 Ricky Ponting (2003 World Cup) - 141 v India

Ricky Ponting of Australia in action

The 2003 World Cup was memorable for Ricky Ponting. In that tournament, he managed to score 415 runs at an average of 51.87. Having just replaced the mighty Steve Waugh as Australia's captain before the World Cup, he led the team from the front and proved his talent as a leader.

In 2003 World Cup final, he made the Indian bowlers toil by scoring 141 runs in just 120 balls at a strike rate of 115.70. On the back of his innings, the Aussies posted a mammoth total of 359 runs on board and hence were able to beat India quite comfortably by 125 runs.

#1 Adam Gilchrist (2007 World Cup) - 149 v Sri Lanka

ICC Cricket World Cup Final - Australia v Sri Lanka

One of the best wicket-keeper batsmen in the history of cricket, Adam Gilchrist's ability to lay anchor and don the aggressor's role with ease made him one of the most imperative parts of Australia's batting order.

Gilchrist came out to bat with a confidant mindset in the 2007 World Cup final and his optimism saw him notching up 453 runs from 11 matches at an average of 45.30 and a strike rate of 103.89.

In the same edition, one of his most notable knocks was his 104-ball 149 at a strike rate of 143.27 against Sri Lanka that helped Australia overcome a weak challenge from their opponents and clinch the trophy