5 defending world champions who underperformed in the next edition

5. Sri Lanka (1996 World Cup champions) in 1999 World Cup

Arjuna Ranatunga and his men couldn’t quite repeat what they did in 1996

Defying all odds and exceeding all expectations, Sri Lanka stunned Australia in the final of 1996 World Cup win their maiden major trophy.

Aravinda de Silva and Arjuna Ranatunga were the heroes of the final while Sanath Jayasuriya re-defined the style of opening batsmanship through that World tournament.

However, the Lankan lions could not do the same four years hence in England, where in the 1999 World Cup, they couldn’t get past the first round, winning just 2 of their 5 league games.

Losses to England, India and South Africa meant that the 1996 champions had no chance of making it to the final four and laying a claim to the coveted trophy.