6 Captains who led India in cricket World Cup: From Venkataraghvan to MS Dhoni

3. Mohammad Azharuddin (1992, 1996 and 1999):

Mohammad Azharuddin led India in three consecutive World Cups, something that great captains like Clive Lloyd and Ricky Ponting had done. However, India came up with a mediocre performance in the 1992 and 1999 editions while they made the semi-finals in 1996. India could win only two out of eight matches (against Pakistan and Zimbabwe), lost five (to England, Australia, West Indies, New Zealand and South Africa) while one match was washed out (against Sri Lanka).

In the 1996 edition, India won against Kenya, West Indies and Zimbabwe to make the quarter-finals but lost to Australia and Sri Lanka. In the quarter-finals, India beat Pakistan but lost to Sri Lanka, the champions that year, in the semi-final following a crowd disturbance.

In the 1999 edition, India lost to South Africa and Zimbabwe to start with but then won against Sri Lanka, Kenya and England to make the Super Six. In the Super Six, Azharuddin’s men lost to Australia and New Zealand but won over Pakistan. Azhar led India in 23 WC matches with 10 wins and 12 losses while one match was inconclusive (success rate of 43.47 per cent).