The 4 Greatest World Cup Innings by Indian Batsmen Post 2000

Team India has been prolific in 3 of the 4 ICC World Cups since 2000 by winning the World Cup in 2011 and reaching the finals in 2003 and the semifinals in 2015.

These World Cups have seen some of the most celebrated Indian batsmen come up with legendary performances at the most opportune times.

Here, we look at 4 of the best Innings by Indian batsmen in the World Cups since 2000.

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#1 Sachin Tendulkar 98 vs Pakistan, World Cup 2003

Sachin Tendulkar's exhibition of stroke play en route to his 98 vs Pakistan

In front of a packed house at Centurion on a Sunday afternoon, India and Pakistan locked horns in the last group match of the 2003 World Cup. Whilst India had already qualified for the Super Sixes, It was a must-win match for Pakistan.

Pakistan batted first and put up a mammoth 273 on the board lead by a brilliant century by the stylish Saeed Anwar. Boasting of a pace attack consisting of Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, and Shoaib Akhtar, the target seemed improbable for Team India.

Out came the Indian batsmen and unusually Sachin, against the norm, got ready to face the first ball making his intentions clear even before a ball was bowled. The party began when he stroked a back foot punch of Wasim in the 2nd ball of the innings and the second over from Akhtar saw Tendulkar unleash his full range with a cut for six followed by a flick and an on-drive for four forcing the Indian fans all over the world go berserk.

Once the initial tone was set, Sachin put on an exhibition of batting rarely seen and made what was a high-pressure chase against potentially the best pace attack into a stroll at the end. He eventually got out 2 short of a century being hampered by cramps, but the damage both literally and psychologically had been done.

Rahul Dravid and Yuvraj Singh completed the formalities as India won with plenty to spare and went into the Super Six with great a momentum.

An unforgettable Super Sunday saw one of the great ODI knocks ever by the Little Master Sachin Tendulkar.

#2 MS Dhoni 91 vs Sri Lanka, World Cup Finals 2011

The World Cup clinching six by Captain Cool that no Indian will ever forget

The moment the whole of India was hoping for had finally arrived with India making the Finals of the World Cup 2011 at home after a roller coaster ride with many close and tense finishes.

They were facing familiar foes Sri Lanka who had been the form team through the World Cup. On a tense afternoon at the Wankhede Stadium, the action began with Sri Lanka batting first and putting up an impressive 274-6 on the back of a fabulous century by Mahela Jayawardene.

With the World Cup dream on the line, the Indian batsmen under lights started badly with Sehwag and Sachin going cheaply leaving India two down early. Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir steadied the ship with an 83 run partnership before Kohli got out leaving India at 114-3. Enter MSD, ahead of the in-form Yuvraj to keep the right-left partnership going, at the most precarious situation.

But then began an innings of a lifetime by the Indian captain highlighted especially by the back foot punches off Muralitharan and the selective stroke play mixed with terrific running displaying the greatest of poise and composure while narrowing the target to manageable proportions before " THE SHOT" - a six over long-on to finish the match and win the World cup for India was unleashed.

The 28-year wait had ended and It was the Indian captain on the most daunting of occasions with the team under pressure delivering on the biggest stage in cricket. It was the legacy of MSD stamped on that famous night in Mumbai, a night that will live in the memories of Indian fans forever.

#3 Shikhar Dhawan 137 vs South Africa, World Cup 2015

Shikhar Dhawan set the tone in World Cup 2015 hammering the great South African attack

Before the World Cup started, this match between India and South Africa at the MCG was billed as the match of the league stages with the two teams boasting of numerous world-class players.

Batting first, India lost Rohit Sharma early courtesy a run-out and were under the pump facing the classy South African seam attack of Philander, Steyn, and Morkel. Slowly, Shikhar Dhawan drove, cut and pulled his way steadily against the pace and bounce of the South African bowlers steadying the ship and gradually increasing the rate of scoring.

Ably supported by Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane, Shikhar went on to score a magnificent 137 to lead India to a mammoth total of 307 which proved to be way beyond the reach of the South Africans. This was a significant win for India as they went on to win all the matches in the Group Stage.

Often inconsistent despite being talented, Shikhar Dhawan produced a masterclass against a world-class pace attack that lasted the entire innings and which vindicated his stature as a dangerous and performer in the big matches against the best teams.

#4 Yuvraj Singh 57 vs Australia, World Cup 2011

Yuvraj continued his brilliant World cup knocking off the 3-time defending Champions Australia

The World Cup 2011 had reached its knock out stages and India were set to take on 3-time defending champions Australia in a marquee and high-pressure Quarterfinal.

Batting first, Australia reached a respectable total of 260 on a sluggish track at Ahmedabad lead by a spectacular captain's innings by Ricky Ponting.

With the track slowing up and becoming tough to bat on under lights, India lost wickets at regular intervals and with the fall of Dhoni, were perilously placed at 187-5, still needing over 70 runs to win.

With the World Cup dream on the line, Yuvraj, who earlier in the day was the star with the ball, set about playing a careful yet determined innings of 57 against a ruthless attack of Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson, and Shaun Tait.

His reactions after stroking the winning run summed up what the victory meant to the Indians. Knocking out the 3-time defending champions in a high tension run chase of the Quarterfinals was the catalyst to India lifting the trophy and Yuvraj who was the an of the Series stood up yet again to be counted when needed most.