Here are the key details and highlights of captains who won the Player of the Match in ICC finals:
1. Clive Lloyd (West Indies, 1975 ICC ODI World Cup Final)
- Opponent: Australia
- Venue: Lord’s, London
- Performance:
- Scored a blistering 102 off 85 balls (13 fours, 2 sixes).
- Helped West Indies post 291/8, which was a challenging total at the time.
- Dominated with the bat and led his team to a 17-run victory, securing the inaugural World Cup.
- Legacy:
- Known as “Supercat,” Lloyd is credited with building the legendary West Indies team of the 1970s and 80s.
2. Ricky Ponting (Australia, 2003 ICC ODI World Cup Final)
- Opponent: India
- Venue: Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
- Performance:
- Played a monumental knock of 140 off 121 balls* (4 fours, 8 sixes).
- Powered Australia to a massive 359/2, one of the highest totals in a World Cup final.
- India faltered in the chase, and Australia won by 125 runs.
- Legacy:
- Ponting is regarded as one of the greatest captains in cricket history, leading Australia to back-to-back World Cup victories in 2003 and 2007.
3. MS Dhoni (India, 2011 ICC ODI World Cup Final)
- Opponent: Sri Lanka
- Venue: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
- Performance:
- Promoted himself to No. 5 in the batting order, ahead of in-form Yuvraj Singh.
- Anchored the chase with an unbeaten 91 off 79 balls* (8 fours, 2 sixes).
- Finished the match with an iconic six, leading India to a 6-wicket victory and their second World Cup title after 28 years.
- Legacy:
- Known as “Captain Cool,” Dhoni is celebrated for his calm demeanor and ability to perform under pressure.
4. Rohit Sharma (India, 2025 ICC Champions Trophy Final)
- Opponent: New Zealand
- Venue: Dubai International cricket stadium, UAE
- Performance:
- Scored a pivotal 76 off 87 balls in a tense chase of 252.
- Played a steady hand, ensuring India crossed the line with 4 wickets in hand.
- Displayed composure and leadership in a high-pressure game.
- Legacy:
- Rohit is lauded for his consistency in ICC tournaments and his ability to lead from the front with the bat.
Common Highlights:
- All four captains delivered under intense pressure, leading by example with exceptional batting performances.
- Their contributions were pivotal in their teams’ victories, cementing their legacies as some of the greatest leaders in cricket history.