All time greatest XI of players who never won a World Cup

Winning a World Cup must be every player’s dream, but not being able to achieve it doesn’t make them any less. Here is a team of 11 of the greatest players who never won a World Cup in their cricketing career. Also read: World Cup Winners List: All time FIFA winnersNote: The list doesn’t include players who are still active.

#1 Sourav Ganguly

Sourav Ganguly made appearances in three World Cups from 1999 to 2007 and led India to the final in 2003, an edition in which he hit three centuries. He has been a consistent scorer in World Cups, particularly in the 1999 and 2003 editions, with a tally of 1006 runs across 22 matches at an average of 55.88.

An aggressive captain, Ganguly is credited with having nurtured the careers of many young players who played under him and transforming the Indian team into a fighting unit. Under his leadership, India shed the tag of being poor travellers as overseas victories became more frequent occurrences than they ever were before his reign. He created a more defiant cricketing nation. Unfortunately, though, the Bengal Tiger will never be able to lay his hands on a World Cup trophy.

Most Memorable WC Moment: 183 against defending champions Sri Lanka in 1999, which remains the highest individual score for an Indian in a World Cup

#2 Gary Kirsten

Known for his sturdy batting style, Gary Kirsten was South Africa's rock in their batting line-up. As an international cricketer, Kirsten was known by his peers as a man on whom the team could depend in times of crisis. Over the years, he gained a reputation as being a dependable batsman. He could up the tempo of an innings if he needed to.

The left-hander holds the record for highest individual score by a South African in a One Day International – 188 not out made against the United Arab Emirates in the 1996 World Cup, which is also the highest score in the history of World Cup. He never won the title with South Africa as a player, but reached the pinnacle as the coach of India in 2011. Vicarious Victory!

Most Memorable WC Moment: 188 off 159 balls against UAE in 1996 World Cup

#3 Rahul Dravid

Known for his classic cricketing technique, Rahul Dravid is regarded as one of the best batsmen that India has ever had. A true gentleman of the game, Dravid appeared in World Cups from 1999 to 2007.

In his maiden appearance, in 1999, the right-hander hit 461 runs to top the leading run-scorers list, including back-to-back hundreds against Kenya and Sri Lanka. He continued to be India’s middle-order rock in the 2003 edition too. To put it in simple words, his batting was stately and upright. There was little about him that was flamboyant. He built his career brick by brick, tiring numerous bowlers who bowled to him. Legend!

Most Memorable WC Moment: 145 against Sri Lanka at Taunton in 1999, sharing a 318-run stand with Sourav Ganguly – a World Cup record.

#4 Brian Lara

One of the greatest batsmen ever, Brian Lara left an indelible mark in ODIs. He is the third highest run-scorer in World Cups with 1225 runs from 34 matches spread across 5 editions, starting from 1992. Lara was everything that was not in the textbooks. His backlift was way taller than him. He saw a full delivery on the off side and drove it through the tiny gaps present with his stylish backlift straight to the boundary.

Lara was also arguably the best player of spin bowling the game has ever seen. If a bowler could use his hand to make the ball magically dance, Lara could negate all that with his own unique performance at the receiving end. He led West Indies in two editions of the World Cup and was the side’s top scorer in 1992, 1996 and 2003. Unfortunately, one of the greatest batsmen of his generation, Lara missed the chance to win gold at the biggest stage!

Most Memorable WC Moment: 111 off 94 balls in the 1996 quarter-final against South Africa

#5 Jacques Kallis

Perhaps the best all-rounder of the modern era, Jacques Kallis left a legacy behind in both one-dayers and Test matches, contributing with bat, ball and in the field. Standard-bearer of Proteas excellence for nearly two decades, he is undeniably one of the greatest players ever to have graced our wonderful game.

He made his presence felt in each of the five World Cups he played, but in 2007 in particular, Kallis scored 485 runs at an average of 80.83, helping South Africa reach the semi-finals. His patient, single-minded, stubborn yet determined approach was exemplary. He is almost the ultimate player you’d want in your team when your side is in trouble! But this great all-rounder will miss one point on his elaborate CV – a World Cup crown!

Most Memorable WC Moment: 96 against India in 1999.

#6 Lance Klusener

The memories of Lance Klusener’s career are still fresh in our minds, especially the 1999 World Cup. The South African big hitter dominated the tournament in a way no one had done before, but was also involved in the run-out that ensured the semi-final against Australia ended in a tie, which resulted in his team being eliminated from the edition.

In the 1999 WC, he was dismissed only twice, scoring 281 runs; he also picked up 17 wickets. Despite an inglorious ending to his international career, Klusener will always be remembered as one of the most exciting entertainers of the game, which was what he strived for.

Most Memorable WC Moment: 52* and 3/21 against Sri Lanka in 1999

#7 Mark Boucher

Mark Boucher was a solid performer for the Proteas, and his brilliant skills behind the stumps were matched only by his ability with the bat. Competitive and hardworking, Boucher the fighter had the talent that marked him out as one of the greats.

He was the aggressor in South Africa’s middle order whenever they needed to turn on the acceleration. And behind the stumps, he is as safe as you can get. He became the first wicket-keeper in the history of Test cricket to reach the milestone of 400 dismissals. He has 381 runs at 27.21 in 25 matches over three WC tournaments.

Most Memorable WC Moment: A blazing inning of 52 off 23 balls against West Indies in 2011

#8 Anil Kumble

Anil Kumble’s record is hard to match for upcoming bowling exponents from the country. He had the potential to make some of the greatest batsmen look awkward when they faced his flippers and googlies. The way he repeatedly destroyed batting line-ups with five-wicket hauls deserves credit.

Making his World Cup debut in 1996, he ended the tournament as the leading wicket-taker, picking up 15 wickets at 18.73. A low-key gentleman, the perseverance and the urge to succeed against the best in the business made him one of the pioneers of leg spin bowling in the world.

Most Memorable WC Moment: 4 for 32 against the Netherlands in 2003.

#9 Curtly Ambrose

Curtly Ambrose was possibly the greatest fast bowler of his generation. At his best, there is no doubt that he moved beyond the fine line that separates the great from the very good. Quality bowlers essentially need two of the three things: pace, movement and accuracy. Ambrose had all three and that made him a legend.

He was more than capable of exploiting vulnerabilities in the techniques of world class batsmen. In 17 World Cup games across three editions from 1992 to 1999, Ambrose had 24 wickets at just 20.79, conceding a miserly 3.03 runs per over.

Most Memorable WC Moment: Stingy spell of 10-4-8-2 against Scotland in 1999

#10 Allan Donald

Allan Donald’s tragic run-out in the 1999 semi-final will always linger in our mind, but he was devastating with the ball in hand all through his career. He played four World Cups, taking 38 wickets in 25 games, and was a joy to watch, especially at the start of the innings.

Known as ‘White Lightning', Donald will always be remembered as a fearsome fast bowler, scowling and aggressive, with a circular white area of zinc cream across his cheeks and nose, that troubled the best in the business.

Most Memorable WC Moment: 17/4 against England in 1999

#11 Richard Hadlee

Richard Hadlee, the most fiercest bowler that the quaint country of New Zealand has produced, was the first in the world to cross 400 Test wickets. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that he literally carried the entire New Zealand bowling on his shoulders during his playing days.

He took 22 wickets in 13 World Cup matches. He had the ability to obtain life from the most docile of surfaces, and his whippy sideways bowling action troubled batsmen of the highest ability. Also rated as the greatest exponent of bowling with the new ball, he was the master of conventional swing and was the original ‘Sultan of Swing’ despite the presence of many worthy contemporaries.

Most Memorable WC Moment: A career-best of 5/25 against Sri Lanka in 1983