Unlucky Legends: From Ganguly To de Villiers, 10 World-Class Cricketers Who Missed Out On World Cup Glory - In Pics

Graham Gooch played in three World Cup finals, including captaining the team in 1992, but unfortunately, he ended up on the losing side each time. His century in the 1987 semi-final against India in Mumbai remains one of England's finest World Cup innings. Gooch's record of 22,211 List A runs is the highest by any batsman in history.  

Ian Botham showcased his all-round talents in two World Cup finals for England. He was a consistent threat with the ball throughout his ODI career, but it was the 1992 tournament where he reached his peak. Botham took 16 wickets in 10 games and played a crucial role in England's journey to the final. His ability to contribute as a pinch hitter and in the lower middle order made him a valuable asset. Botham would have rewritten batting records in today's game with his skills.  

Waqar Younis, one of the greatest fast bowlers of any era, missed out on Pakistan's historic 1992 World Cup triumph due to an injury. While his teammate Wasim Akram shone with the ball and emerged as the top wicket-taker, Younis was absent. Known for his mastery of reverse swing and ability to trouble batsmen in the death overs, Younis holds the record for the most five-wicket hauls in ODI history. He did make it to the final in 1999 but lost to Australia.  

Sourav Ganguly participated in three World Cups from 1999 to 2007 and led India to the final in 2003. Apart from his individual brilliance, Ganguly played a significant role in transforming India into the formidable team we see today. As an aggressive captain, he turned the Indian team into world-beaters. It was unfortunate that Ganguly couldn't be part of the victorious 2011 campaign, but his World Cup record speaks for itself, with 1006 runs in 22 matches at an average of 55.88.  

Brian Lara is renowned for his records in Test cricket, but he was also a force to be reckoned with in the ODI format. Few players before him had achieved the milestone of 10,000 ODI runs, and even now he ranks 10th in the overall standings. Lara's ability to score three individual innings of over 150 runs was a rare feat. It's unfortunate that his prime coincided with the decline of West Indies cricket, but his contributions were exceptional.  

Lance Klusener, known as Zulu, was an immensely talented all-rounder. He excelled in limited-overs cricket, particularly during the 1999 World Cup where he was named the player of the tournament despite South Africa's semifinal exit. Klusener's explosive batting and smart bowling made him the most valuable player. He retired with impressive ODI batting and bowling averages of 41 and 29, respectively, putting him on par with some of the great all-rounders in cricket history.  

Following Lance Klusener, Jacques Kallis deserves mention as another great South African all-rounder. Kallis showcased his skills in both Tests and ODIs, and his longevity in the game was remarkable. With over 11,000 runs and 273 wickets in ODIs, Kallis was a vital component of the South African team for years. He achieved the rare feat of scoring over 10,000 runs and taking 250 wickets, a milestone accomplished by only one other all-rounder in history, Sanath Jayasuriya.  

Kumar Sangakkara: Kumar Sangakkara displayed his brilliance in one-day cricket during the 2015 World Cup. The stylish left-hander smashed four consecutive centuries in the tournament, showcasing his ability to accumulate runs. Over the course of his career, Sangakkara proved himself as both a batsman and a wicketkeeper. By the time he retired, only Sachin Tendulkar had more ODI runs than him. Although Sangakkara never won the World Cup, his numbers speak for themselves.  

AB de Villiers possessed an extraordinary talent with the bat that set him apart from other batsmen. With a career ODI average of 53.50 and a strike rate above 100, he was in a league of his own. De Villiers holds the record for the fastest century in ODIs, scored in just 31 balls. Watching him bat was a treat for fans, as he possessed an uncanny ability to play shots others couldn't even imagine. His versatility in multiple sports further showcased his athletic prowess.  

Known as "Boom Boom," Shahid Afridi burst onto the scene as a big-hitting batsman for Pakistan. However, he reinvented himself over the years, becoming a wrist spinner and climbing up the wickets chart. Afridi's career as an all-rounder and his captaincy skills played a significant role in shaping modern cricket. His impact on the game cannot be denied, and he was one of the greats who helped bring cricket into the modern era.