World Cup History: Player of the Series in each edition of the tournament

To be the standout performer in the pre-eminent cricketing tournament is an instant ticket to be in the remembered in perpetuity. While Glenn Turner, Gary Gilmour, Gordon Greenidge, Mike Hendrick, David Gower, Roger Binny, Graham Gooch and Craig McDermott gave fabulous and consistent performances in previous tournaments (1975-87), there was no award to acknowledge their wickets tally or run aggregate or their impact on the World Cup.

The 1992 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand rectified that by introducing the player of the tournament award, which went to the most influential player in that edition of the World Cup.

Of the 7 winners, so far, 3 have been adjudged the best player despite their teams not winning the final. Martin Crowe, Lance Klusener and Sachin Tendulkar had to console themselves that their brilliant run of form didn’t coincide with similar fortunes for their sides. The other four - Sanath Jayasuriya, Glenn McGrath, Yuvraj Singh, and Mitchell Starc consistency saw their sides through in crunch World Cup games.

Here's the list of the seven players who won the man of the tournament award in the World Cups.

#1 Martin Crowe (New Zealand) | 1992

Martin Crowe (New Zealand)Â | 1992 — Martin Crowe (New Zealand) | 1992

The late New Zealand captain not only led from the front but also outfoxed the opponents with his tactical nous. The Kiwis were near invincible with a flamboyant captain and his radical new ideas like opening with an off-spinner.Talk of getting checkmated on a 22-yard strip.

Martin Crowe was one of New Zealand’s greatest ever cricketers. His elegant technique at the crease and imaginative leadership on the ground were in ample display for all to see and admire during the tournament.

Most Valuable Performance: 91 (83) vs Pakistan, Eden Park Auckland

Overall Record: Matches 8 | Runs 456 | Average 114.00 | Highest: 100* | 1 century and 3 fifties

Also read - Cricket World cup hat trick

#2 Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka) | 1996

The explosive southpaw was given a free hand to dismantle the opening bowlers and exploit the 15-over field restrictions by his skipper Arjuna Ranatunga. With a license to kill, the man from Matara bludgeoned his way through sides and instilled a fear in opening bowlers, which was hitherto unseen.

In the games that he missed out, he rolled his arm over to nab crucial wickets like it was child’s play. Some times, he did both. Sanath Jayasuriya’s stamp on the tournament and the opponent's psyche was complete.

Most Valuable Performance: 82 (44) and 2/46 vs England, Iqbal Stadium Faisalabad

#3 Lance Klusener (South Africa) | 1999

Lance Klusener is the most genuine all-rounder to have won this distinction. He was quick and sharp in the middle overs and devastating in the slog overs with the long handle; irrespective of whether the Proteas were setting up a total or chasing a tricky one. He was, without doubt, South Africa’s ace in the pack. What made him special was he was ice-cool demeanour and being bullet-proof in whatever he did on the cricket field.

Most Valuable Performance: 46*(41), 1/41 and one run-out vs Pakistan, Trent Bridge, Nottingham

#4 Sachin Tendulkar (India) | 2003

The Indian opener had had stellar, coming-of-age World Cup performances before; but in 2003, the sheen of his vintage innings were goosebumps inducing. His relentlessness in the pursuit of excellence was rewarded with a truly amazing run of consistency. The runs (673) came against pace and spin, juice and bounce, swing and seam.

The team was coming off a disastrous overseas tour, but Sachin Tendulkar's scintillating knocks were the bedrock on which India made an inspired, against the odds dash to the finals in Johannesburg.

Most Valuable Performance: 98 (75) vs Pakistan, Supersport Park, Centurion

#5 Glenn McGrath (Australia) | 2007

Glenn McGrathÂ (Australia) | 2007 — Glenn McGrath (Australia) | 2007

Having starred in Australia’s previous two championship runs, Glenn McGrath raised his game a notch in the Caribbean to end up not only as the leading World Cup wicket-taker (71) ever, but also the most influential player of the tournament. He finished on a high as a champion should with the most wickets in a single edition of the World Cup (26) in the West Indies.

McGrath’s nagging, metronomic, laser-precise deliveries were the bane of countless top-order batsmen and he was the one bowler any Aussie captain looked to when they thirsted for a breakthrough.

Most Valuable Performance: 3/18 v South Africa, Gros Islet, Saint Lucia

Overall Record: Matches 11 | Economy 4.41| Strike Rate 18.6 | Average 13.73 | Wickets 26

#6 Yuvraj Singh (India) | 2011

Considering that he was playing with a then-undetected lung tumour, Yuvraj Singh’s contributions with the bat and ball, and in the field in 2011 made for one of the most complete and courageous player-of-the-tournament displays in the history of World Cups. It is an achievement that will stand the test of time. In an Indian side full of match winners, his consistency and valuable cameos in almost every game made him the throbbing, beating heart of India’s dream run at home.

Most Valuable Performance: 113(123) and 2/18 vs West Indies, Chepauk, Chennai

#7 Mitchell Starc (Australia) | 2015

The left-arm quick emulated his countryman McGrath by being the wrecker-in-chief throughout the tournament for the co-hosts. His slinging thunderbolts struck fear in the hearts of batsmen giving the Australians crucial breakthroughs in the beginning of most innings. His variations were deceptive and his control inch perfect.

Metaphorically and literally he gave body blows from which the opposition struggled to recover or fight back. Mitchell Starc delivered all this at a misery rate and with stinging menace.

Most Valuable Performance: 6/28 vs New Zealand, Eden Park, Auckland

Overall Record: Matches 8 | Economy 3.50 | Strike Rate 17.40 | Average 10.18 | Wickets 22

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