Kane Williamson, MS Dhoni + 9 Times Skippers Produced Standout Performances In The World Cup

Captains leading from the front is nothing new. In fact, cricket has seen some great performances by leaders who have led by example and entertained fans over the years. The World Cup is no exception. It has seen some brilliant instances when skippers stood up for their teams.

Cricinfo/BCCI

Of course there are many to choose from in the 48-year-old history of the tournament. Some of them really do stand out. So which ones are the one to remember? Let's take a look:

1. Kane Williamson (New Zealand) - 106* vs South Africa in 2019

Under overcast conditions he guided his team to victory by staying out there and picking out the gaps. It was an innings of high quality which simply left those watching in awe as they saw him rescue the Kiwis from 80/4 and chase down a target of 242 in the final over.

2. Eoin Morgan (England) - 148 vs Afghanistan in 2019

A record 17 sixes were hit in this 71-ball knock. While it came against an attack which was relatively weak, it does rank as one of the best knocks by a skipper at the highest level.

3. MS Dhoni (India) - 91* vs Sri Lanka in 2011

A day Indians will never forget. Walking in during the final after the fall of Virat Kohli, Dhoni put himself ahead of Yuvraj Singh to take us over the line. We lost Gautam Gambhir along the way for 97 but it was not enough to stop us and he ended it with a winning six to light up the Mumbai sky.

4. Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka) - 115* vs New Zealand in 2007

In the semifinal the skipper came good with a valiant hundred. Sri Lanka made 289/5 and it would be too much for the Kiwis as they lost by 81 runs.

5. Ricky Ponting (Australia) - 140* vs India in 2003

It was total annihilation from the skipper as Australia amassed 359/2. He hit the ball out of the stands more often than not and the Indian bowlers had no answer as to how to contain him that day.

6. Sourav Ganguly (India) - 111* vs Kenya in 2003

To get to the final, one has to win the semifinal and Ganguly led from the front in his 114-ball knock to help us reach an imposing total. The bowlers did the rest. His innings had some classical shots and powerful strokes, a mix of grace and brute strength.

7. Steve Waugh (Australia) - 120* vs South Africa in 1999

Coming in at 48/3 and staring elimination in the face, a target of 272 seemed daunting. Waugh put his head down and produced possibly one of the best ODI knocks of all time and took his side home at the death. It ensured a place in the semis and Australia would go on to win that edition, making the importance of his knock all the more important.

8. Imran Khan (Pakistan) - 72 vs England in 1992

In what was his final appearance for Pakistan, the legend led from the front to help his side make 249/6. He also took the last wicket as Pakistan won the World Cup final by 22 runs. What a way to sign off.

9. Mohammad Azharuddin (India) - 93 vs Australia in 1992

Against a top quality attack in not the most favourable batting conditions, Azharrudin battled rain and hostile bowling to carve himself a gem of a knock. While it did go in vain, his batting was just mesmerising to watch.

10. Viv Richards (West Indies) - 181 vs Sri Lanka in 1987

Against the hapless islanders, even at 35, Richards wreaked havoc. This was just 3 years after his record 189 not out and he almost broke it. West Indies posted 360/4 and won the game by 191 runs.

11. Clive Lloyd (West Indies) - 102 vs Australia In 1975

The big man came out to bat at 50/3 in the final. Lord's saw one of the legend punish the likes of Jeff Thomson and Dennis Lillee like never before. He tore into the Aussie bowling to ensure his side made 291/8. They would win by 17 runs and become the first ever World Champions.