11 Man of the Match performances in 11 World Cup Finals

#8 Ricky Ponting - 140 versus India - 2003 World Cup Final

Australia were in rampaging form in the 2003 World Cup and India had the momentum on their side. India had lost only to Australia in the group stages and many touted the clash in the final as an opportunity to avenge the defeat.

Sourav Ganguly won the toss in Johannesburg and asked Australia to bat first. Indian bowlers had bowled brilliantly in the tournament and Ganguly expected the same to happen in the final.

Zaheer Khan sledged Matthew Hayden in the first over and leaked 15 runs. From this point, nothing worked out for India as Gilchrist and Hayden smashed the bowling apart. The duo stitched together a century partnership in 13 overs.

When Gilchrist was dismissed, captain Ricky Ponting continued from where Gilchrist had left. After Hayden departed, Damien Martyn and Ponting added a record 234 runs which is still the highest ever partnership in a World Cup final. Australia scored a mammoth 359 for 2.

Ponting was very severe against the wayward Indian bowling and smashed 8 sixes and 4 boundaries in his match-winning 140 off 121 balls.

India were never in the chase after the great Sachin Tendulkar was dismissed in the first over. Although Sehwag scored 82, India lost wickets due to the mounting scoreboard pressure and got bowled out for 234.