World Cup: Players who won the title without playing a single game

1996

Marvan Atapattu, Upul Chandana, Russell Arnold

The 1996 Sri Lankan team brought about a revolution in ODI cricket

The Sri Lankan team of 1996 turned out to be the dark horse that ended up crossing all hurdles and exceeding expectations to go on to lift the silverware. Leading from the front, skipper Arjuna Ranatunga and magical coach Dave Whatmore strung together a unit of committed individuals who achieved the improbable.

With each player in the squad having a defined role to play, and with no injury scares throughout the tournament, the Lankan lions did not require the services of then youngsters Marvan Atapattu, Upul Chandana and Russell Arnold as Sanath Jayasuriya, Muttiah Muralitharan and Roshan Mahanama respectively fulfilled their assigned roles.

Having said that, off-spinner Chandana was the first choice for twelfth man courtesy his sharp fielding skills, an example of which he gave by running out Robin Smith in the quarter-final against England.