How Ranatunga handled home pressure to win 1996 World Cup

The fact that no host team has ever won the World Cup at home remains an astonishing part of cricket history

The fact that no host team has ever won the World Cup at home remains an astonishing part of cricket history.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni's India would have to break that jinx if they have to lift the 2011 World Cup at home.

Dhoni after winning the ODI series against Australia in 2010. PIC/AFP

Though Arjuna Ranatunga's Sri Lanka may not have won the 1996 World Cup at home technically (they beat Australia in Lahore), at that stage, they were the only Asian team to win the sport's most prestigious event in the sub-continent. "There is always a lot of support for sub-continental teams here. It also brings with it pressure. But, we didn't really let that pressure get to us. We played as a unit. There was pressure on the team to perform, but not on individuals," Ranatunga told MiD DAY on the sidelines of a function involving six World Cup-winning captains, an idea conceptualised by Percept.

So, how capable is Dhoni to handle home pressure? Ranatunga said: "He has played a lot of cricket in the sub-continent. But World Cup will be different and he is well aware of what it takes to lead the team.

"I am confident Dhoni will do well."

The key to Sri Lanka's World Cup success was 'thorough' planning according to Ranatunga.

"We planned really well; we had done good homework on the conditions... almost everything," said the former Sri Lankan skipper.

How winning the World Cup benefitted these captains and their nations:

Kapil Dev: We didn't realise the impact of that win. It is over the years that we have got so much recognition, love and accolades.

Imran Khan: The kind of money which was required to build a cancer hospital was enormous and it would have been possible only by winning the World Cup.

Clive Lloyd: The West Indies Cricket Board was always broke, but our World Cup win changed that.

Allan Border: Our WC win helped in developing the core of future Australian teams.

Arjuna Ranatunga: Our victory led to all unwanted, corrupt guys getting involved in the Sri Lankan board thereafter.

Steve Waugh:u00a0 The emphasis was on keeping the momentum going and we were able to do that for the next two Cups.