What if... Farhan Behardien held onto Elliot's catch in 2015 WC semi-final?

New Zealand won the thrilling game [PC: Twitter]

Success serves as the yardstick of legacy in any sector of life, and cricket is no exception either. No matter how skilful you are, people seldom remember you if you don't have a decorated ICC trophy in your cabinet. 

That has been the story with South Africa in global events over the years. They always enter the World Cups as title contenders but somehow return home empty-handed. However, if we list the most heartbreaking debacles in South Africa's history, the 2015 semifinal defeat ranks second right after the 1999 one. 

If we roll the clock back, we can understand that Farhaan Behardien dropping Grant Elliot's catch was one of the significant turning points of that game. But have you ever thought about what would've happened had Behardien grabbed the catch?

South Africa would have broken the semi final jinx

SA lost to AUS in 1999 semi final [PC: Twitter]

Let me make you recall that Behardien dropped the catch in the 42nd over, a time when New Zealand needed 14 runs in seven balls. Although the game was hanging in the balance, Elliot's dismissal would've exposed New Zealand's tail, swinging the momentum ultimately into South Africa's favour. And, considering the Proteas bowling unit comprising Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel, we can bet that they would've won the game and entered the final for the very first time. 

We would've witnessed a more competitive final

AUS won the final easily [PC: Twitter]

New Zealand definitely played some outstanding cricket to reach the final. But we saw nothing short of a one-sided affair in the Grand Finale. Hosts Australia avenged the group stage match, annihilating the Kiwis by seven wickets. I am unsure whether South Africa would've defeated Australia and lifted the trophy for the first time. But if we look at South Africa's squad in that World Cup, we can imagine a more competitive final taking place that day at the iconic MCG. We are all aware of the rival bond Australia and South Africa share. Both Mitchell Starc and Dale Steyn were at the peak of their prowess, and their battle with the opponent batters would've been enthralling, to say the least. 

De Villiers would have become the first Proteas to top score in an ODI WC

ABD had an extraordinary campaign [PC: Twitter]

AB De Villiers was in the form of his life during the 2015 World Cup. The swashbuckling right-handed batter amassed 482 runs at a stupendous average of 96.4 and a blistering strike rate of 144.31 in the showpiece event. If New Zealand didn't play the final, Martin Guptill, the top run-getter in the event, would've finished with 532 runs. Considering de Villiers' scintillating form, we can confidently say that he could've edged past Guptill to become the highest run-getter in the tournament. And if he managed that, he would've been the first South African batter to do so in ODI World Cup history. 

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