Great Cricketers Who Never Won the ODI World Cup
Lasith Malinga
Sri Lankan legend and ace speedster Lasith Malinga never won an ODI World Cup, with his only major ICC title being the T20 World Cup in 2014. Malinga, known for his unique round-arm sling bowling action, came close to winning the ODI WC title twice, in 2007 and 2011, when Sri Lanka lost in the final.
Andrew Flintoff
One of the best all-rounders of the modern era, Andrew Flintoff did not win an ODI World Cup throughout his career, despite featuring the three editions of the tournament. By the time England won its first WC title in 2019, Flintoff had long retired, having played his last ODI in 2009.
Shivnarine Chanderpaul
Like many greats from his era, West Indies legend Shivnarine Chanderpaul never won an ODI World Cup title, despite being the record 10th highest run-getter in international cricket history. He played in four editions of the World Cup from 1996 to 2007, but West Indies never even got close to the title, reaching the semi-final only once.
Rohit Sharma
Indian ODI captain Rohit Sharma could become one of the very few captains to have won all three white-ball ICC tournaments, should he guide the Men in Blue to ODI World Cup glory in 2027. For the moment, he finds his name on this list, having never laid his hand on the WC trophy, coming closest to winning it in 2023.
Chris Gayle
West Indies' all-time leading run-getter in ODIs, Chris Gayle played in five editions of the ODI World Cup from 2003 to 2019, but never won the trophy. In fact, Gayle is one of the very few players with a World Cup double-hundred as well as 1,000 runs in the tournament's history, to have never lifted the title.
Shoaib Akhtar
Another Pakistani fast-bowling legend who could never win the World Cup title is Shoaib Akhtar, who holds the record for the fastest delivery ever bowled, which clocked 161.3 km/h. He featured in three editions of the ODI World Cup for Pakistan from 1999 to 2011, with his famous 'quickest' delivery coming in the match from the 2003 edition.
Stephen Fleming
New Zealand's longest-serving captain and a flamboyant opener, Stephen Fleming played in four editions of the ODI World Cup, but could never manage to win the trophy. Despite the lack of success in the knock-out stages of the World Cup, Fleming did scored over 1,000 runs in 33 matches in the tournament.
Lance Klusener
A World Cup legend who never laid his hands on the trophy, South African icon Lance Klusener is known for his heroics in the 1999 edition of the ODI World Cup. He guided the South African team to the semi-finals of the edition, before their loss to eventual winners Australia, while Klusener won the POTS award.
Courtney Walsh
One of the greatest fast-bowlers of all time, West Indies icon Courtney Walsh is best known for his bowling partnership with teammate Curtly Ambrose during the 1980s and 1990s. While getting eliminated in his first two editions of the ODI World Cup, Walsh's side made it to the semi-finals in 1996, but lost to Australia.
Shahid Afridi
Legendary Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Afridid featured in six different editions of the ODI World Cup, but failed to win the trophy even once throughout his glorious career. His numbers in the cricket World Cup however, were impressive, having scored over 1,200 runs and scalped 48 wickets in 38 matches in the tournament.
Richard Hadlee
Despite being one of the greatest all-rounders of all time, New Zealand legend Sir Richard Hadlee could never lift the ODI World Cup title, throughout his career. He played in four editions of the ODI World Cup from 1975 to 1987, coming closest in 1983 and 1987, where the Kiwis made it to the semi-finals.
Ian Botham
Former England international and one of the greatest all-rounders of all time, Ian Botham was a part of the Three Lions' squad that finished as runners-up at both the 1979 and 1992 ICC ODI World Cups. Botham's number in WC, despite him being one of the finest, have been average, having scored 297 runs and taken 30 wickets in 22 WC matches.
Brendon McCullum
One of the most influential players of the generation and the inventor of 'Baz-ball', former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum is another player from the country, to have achieved greatness, despite having not won an ODI World Cup title. McCullum did lead the Kiwis to the WC final in 2015, where they lost to Australia.
AB de Villiers
A three-time ICC ODI Player of the Year, South African legend AB de Villiers was known for his aggressive batting approach, and remains of the best white-ball cricketers of all time. However, he participated in three editions of the ODI World Cup, but was unable to win the title in any one of them, despite having scored over 1,200 runs.
Graeme Smith
The ICC ODI World Cup is one of the major international trophies that South African legend Graeme Smith did not win, despite being one of the most successful captain in international cricket history. Under Smith, the Proteas made it to the semi-finals of the 2007 edition, but were knocked out in the semi-finals.
Mahela Jayawardene
Sri Lankan legend Mahela Jayawardene made his ODI debut for the national side, only a year after the team had lifted its maiden ODI World Cup title in 1996. Jayawardene went on to represent Sri Lanka in five ODI World Cups from 1999 to 2015, finishing runners-up twice, in 2007 and 2011, but failed to win the title.
Brian Lara
West Indies' great and former captain Brian Lara led the West indies national side during an international career, that spanned from 1990 to 2007. While he captained the team to victory in the 2004 ICC Champions Trophy, the ODI World Cup trophy remained an unfulfilled goal for Lara.
Kumar Sangakkara
Former Sri Lankan skipper and the second-highest run-getter in international cricket history, Kumar Sangakkara was a key member of both the 2007 and 2011 World Cup squads, when the Lions finished as runners-up in both the editions. Sangakkara's final WC appearance in 2015 saw his become the first player to score four consecutive centuries in the tournament.
Shaun Pollock
Despite featuring in four editions of the ODI World Cup from 1995 to 2008, South African legend Shaun Pollock's career coincided with the time when the Proteas were labeled as 'Chokers' for failing to win any major tournament. The closest Pollock came was during the 1999 World Cup, where South Africa lost to Australia in the semi-finals.
Anil Kumble
Despite finishing as the leading wicket-taker in an edition of the ODI World Cup in 1996, former Indian spinner Anil Kumble could not lift the WC across the four editions that he participated in. The closest he came was during the 2003 edition, when India had famously made it through to the final, before losing out to Australia.
Waqar Younis
Pakistani legend and former captain Waqar Younis missed his only opportunity to win the ODI World Cup in 1992, after he was left out of the squad due to a back injury. Younis played in three World Cups after that, in 1996, 1999 and 2003, but could not lift the title, coming close in 1999, when Pakistan made it to the final.
Rahul Dravid
Former Indian icon Rahul Dravid, better known by fans as the 'Wall', did not win the ODI World Cup, but was a part of the squad that made it to the final in 2003, famously losing to winners Australia. David was also appointed captain of the Indian team at the 2007 WC, which turned out to be their Men in Blues' worst World Cup campaign ever.
Graham Gooch
England international and legendary captain Graham Gooch holds the unenviable record for being the only player to have lost three ODI World Cup finals throughout his career. Gooch played in three WC finals, losing to West Indies in 1979, Australia in 1987, and to Pakistan in 1992.
Jacques Kallis
South African great Jacques Kallis is the finest all-rounders in cricket history, and was most successful in the 2007 edition of the ODI World Cup, where he finished with 485 runs at an average of 80.83. However, across five editions of the ODI World Cup, Kallis failed to secure the trophy with the Proteas, even once.
Sourav Ganguly
One of the greatest captains of all time, former India icon Sourav Ganguly is an ODI World Cup legend, having scored over 1,000 runs in 21 innings, including four hundreds and three fifties. Ganguly famously led the Indian team to the final of the 2003 World Cup, but lost out at the end to champions Australia.
