World Cup History: Player of the Series in each edition of the tournament

#5 Glenn McGrath (Australia) | 2007

Glenn McGrath (Australia) | 2007

Having starred in Australia’s previous two championship runs, Glenn McGrath raised his game a notch in the Caribbean to end up not only as the leading World Cup wicket-taker (71) ever, but also the most influential player of the tournament. He finished on a high as a champion should with the most wickets in a single edition of the World Cup (26) in the West Indies.

McGrath’s nagging, metronomic, laser-precise deliveries were the bane of countless top-order batsmen and he was the one bowler any Aussie captain looked to when they thirsted for a breakthrough.

Most Valuable Performance: 3/18 v South Africa, Gros Islet, Saint Lucia

Overall Record: Matches 11 | Economy 4.41| Strike Rate 18.6 | Average 13.73 | Wickets 26

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#6 Yuvraj Singh (India) | 2011

Yuvraj Singh (India) | 2011

Considering that he was playing with a then-undetected lung tumour, Yuvraj Singh’s contributions with the bat and ball, and in the field in 2011 made for one of the most complete and courageous player-of-the-tournament displays in the history of World Cups. It is an achievement that will stand the test of time. In an Indian side full of match winners, his consistency and valuable cameos in almost every game made him the throbbing, beating heart of India’s dream run at home.

Most Valuable Performance: 113(123) and 2/18 vs West Indies, Chepauk, Chennai

Overall Record: Matches 9 | Runs 362 | Average 90.50 | Highest 113 | 1 century and 4 fifties | Wickets 15

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#7 Mitchell Starc (Australia) | 2015

Mitchell Starc (Australia) | 2015

The left-arm quick emulated his countryman McGrath by being the wrecker-in-chief throughout the tournament for the co-hosts. His slinging thunderbolts struck fear in the hearts of batsmen giving the Australians crucial breakthroughs in the beginning of most innings. His variations were deceptive and his control inch perfect.

Metaphorically and literally he gave body blows from which the opposition struggled to recover or fight back. Mitchell Starc delivered all this at a misery rate and with stinging menace.

Most Valuable Performance: 6/28 vs New Zealand, Eden Park, Auckland

Overall Record: Matches 8 | Economy 3.50 | Strike Rate 17.40 | Average 10.18 | Wickets 22