5 cricketers who carried their teams at World Cups but ended the tournament with heartbreak

#3 Sachin Tendulkar (2003 World Cup)

Sachin receiving the Player of the Tournament award

673 runs scored in a tournament, most ever in any World Cup, and yet it was not enough to get India through to the trophy. This fairy tale run also included that innings of 98 against Pakistan in Centurion.

Sachin was a man on a mission throughout the tournament. His consistency was remarkable as he passed 50 in seven of 11 innings. India too exuded confidence throughout the tournament and only lost 2 matches in the entire tournament, incidentally, both came against Australia.

However, it all unravelled in the finals against Australia. The rampaging team were up against a dominating and all-conquering Australia in the finals. Captain Saurav Ganguly won the toss and quite surprisingly elected to bowl first. The Aussie batsmen came out all guns blazing and plundered 359.

The result was a foregone conclusion, and all hopes were pinned on the little master, but Sachin fell for only 4 attempting a pull shot against Glenn McGrath. India fell short by 125 runs in the end. It was a morose end to an inspired campaign.

Sachin Tendulkar was the player of the tournament.