Cricket World Cup: 5 times when favourites won the title

#2 India, 2011

India ended their 28-year World Cup wait on 2011

Being contested on the Asian soil for the first time after the 1996 edition, India was one of the favourites to clinch the title. But history had another say as no host country had won the World Cup even once.

India started very well as they hunted their old demon from 2007 World Cup, Bangladesh, by a massive 87 runs. They later went on to lose against South Africa after a worst batting collapse and tied a match against England after a toothless display of bowling.

However, teams like Netherland and Ireland made it easy for India to progress to the next stage.

As soon as India reached the knockouts, India uplifted their game. They defeated defending champions Australia in the quarter-final and arch-rivals Pakistan in the semis.

In the final against Sri Lanka, Mahela Jayawardane's ton propelled Sri Lanka to post a competitive 274. Chasing 275, India had the poorest of a start as they lost both their openers at the score of 18.

Gautam Gambhir along with Virat Kohli led the rebuilding process before an MS Dhoni special saw India lifting the trophy after a long 28 years.

India became the third country to win the World Cup title more than once and became the first team to win the title at the home soil.