Off all the sports, the role of a captain is most important and effective in the game of cricket undoubtedly. Not only does he have to devise a strategy off the field around which the entire match script would revolve for his team but also has to ensure that on the field that the strategy is executed according to plan.
No occasion within the cricketing world is bigger than the World Cup and all the captains who have lifted the most prized trophy within the game. Clive Lloyd with his brilliant group of players and awesome batting skills led the West Indies cricket team and lifted the World Cup trophy in 1975 and 1979. His glasses, although gave him a serious look, had helped him a great deal in being one of the most prolific middle order batsmen of his time.. The third edition saw an extremely seasoned all-rounder from Indian cricket team, Kapil Dev, as the winning captain. The entire tournament saw him lifting the level of his game when ever required and he subsequently was one of the major contributors in India's triumph in 1983. Allan border always enjoyed respect not only amongst his team members but the entire cricketing fraternity for his immaculate stroke play and sound leadership skills. A consistent performance by his team coupled with good tactical leadership meant that Australian cricket team was the proud winner of the 1987 cricket world cup.
It has been a regular debate amongst the experts as to who is the greatest captain that the game has seen, and very often the vote count lands in the favor of Imran Khan. His inspirational come back from a back injury and a retirement right after the 1987 WC, Imran Khan led a group of wounded tigers and his outstanding leadership helped Pakistan cricket team lift 1992 World Cup. 1996 was a big eye opener and a shocker as the weakest force in the cricketing world at that time, Sri Lankan cricket team, ran away with the honors under sharp leadership of the laid back Arjuna Ranatunga who always made sure that he didn't throw away his wicket cheaply. Ranatunga made sure that his team who were always considered to be the under dogs would play like true champions and win the tournament with flying colors.
Steve Waugh was always a good solid batsman but never did he possess the finesse and charisma of a leader. However he proved everyone wrong and in the 1999 world cup his unorthodox style of captaincy and some luck proved to be the turning point as Australian cricket team lifted the World Cup trophy after 12 years by toppling over Pakistan cricket team, the tournament favorites. Steve Waugh passed on his legacy to Ricky Ponting who had proved himself as one of the best batsman in the world and he was a unanimous favorite to take over the reigns from the retiring Waugh. Under him, Australia have won the last two editions of the World Cup and both those trophies were well deserved since the Aussies seemed in a menacing mood throughout. Ponting is probably the only player in world cup cricket with such phenomenal record for he has featured in finals of all four editions that he has taken part in.rt in.
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