In the electrifying realm of One Day International (ODI) cricket, every run holds immense value, and centuries are hailed as the pinnacle of batting excellence. Despite the incredible skills and contributions of many legendary Indian cricketers to the sport, not all of them achieved the elusive feat of scoring a century in the Cricket World Cup. This article will delve into the extraordinary careers of five Indian cricket legends who, despite their remarkable talents, never managed to notch up an ODI World Cup century.
5 Indian Legendary Cricketers Who Never Scored A World Cup Century:
MS Dhoni
MS Dhoni, one of India’s most iconic cricket captains, is celebrated for his calm and composed demeanor on the field and his impeccable leadership. Dhoni led the Indian cricket team to a historic victory in the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup. He participated in four ODI World Cups, from 2007 to 2019, but his illustrious career never witnessed the milestone of a World Cup century.
Dhoni’s ODI World Cup record includes 29 matches, where he amassed 789 runs at an impressive average of 43.33, including five half-centuries. His highest World Cup score came during the 2011 final against Sri Lanka, where he came agonizingly close to a century, finishing with an outstanding 91 runs.
Gautam Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir, another revered figure in Indian cricket, played a pivotal role in India’s triumphant 2011 World Cup campaign. However, much like Dhoni, he also fell short of reaching the three-figure mark in World Cup matches.
In the 2011 World Cup, Gambhir scored a total of 393 runs in nine matches, showcasing his consistency with four half-centuries. His highest score in the tournament was a brilliant 97 against Sri Lanka in the final.
Navjot Singh Sidhu
Navjot Singh Sidhu, often considered one of the most underrated players in Indian ODI cricket, had a promising start to his career. He participated in two World Cups, in 1987 and 1996, both on home soil. Despite his immense talent, he couldn’t etch his name in the annals of ODI World Cup centurions.
Sidhu’s World Cup journey featured 454 runs in 12 matches, boasting an impressive average of 45.50, including six half-centuries. His highest World Cup score was a commendable 93, achieved in the 1996 World Cup quarter-final against arch-rivals Pakistan.
Krishnamachari Srikkanth
Krishnamachari Srikkanth, affectionately known as ‘Cheeka,’ was a vital part of the Indian team that clinched the inaugural 1983 Cricket World Cup. His aggressive style of play played a crucial role in India’s victory, but he, too, couldn’t break the barrier of an ODI World Cup century.
Srikkanth participated in three ODI World Cups for India, in 1983, 1987, and 1992, accumulating a total of 521 runs in 23 matches. Although he contributed significantly to India’s success, he couldn’t convert any of his starts into a World Cup century.
Mohammad Azharuddin
Mohammad Azharuddin, renowned for his stylish and elegant batting, captained the Indian cricket team in three World Cup editions – 1992, 1996, and 1999. Despite his flair and exceptional leadership skills, Azharuddin was unable to register a century in ODI World Cup matches.
Throughout his World Cup journey, Azharuddin amassed 826 runs in 30 games, with an average of 39.33, and eight half-centuries to his name. His contribution to Indian cricket was significant, but a World Cup century remained just out of reach.
