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

#2 Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka) | 1996

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

Overall Record: Matches 6 | Runs 221| Strike Rate 132.00 | Highest: 82 | 2 fifties | Wickets 7

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#3 Lance Klusener (South Africa) | 1999

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

Overall Record: Matches 9 | Runs 281 | Strike Rate 122.00 | Average 140.5 | Highest: 52* | Wickets 17 | 2 fifties

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#4 Sachin Tendulkar (India) | 2003

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

Overall Record: Matches 11 | Runs 673 | Average 61.18 | Highest: 152 | 1 century and 6 fifties| Wickets 2