Leave it bhai.
This thread is full of manufactured reasons.
Even if we assume the reasons, no one can explain why test loving Western media under-rates them. And what did Lara do in ODIs in WC to warrant supreme hype in general (if we go by that reasoning)?
This is like deciding on the answer and seeking the path.
Shocking really. But maybe not.
Lara didn't have the team to win a World Cup, but when you have a bunch of world class players who have the team to win World Cups but always, always fall short, you have to question the mentality of the players.
Is Broad's legacy decided by the 6 sixes off Yuvi?
Is Stokes's legacy decided by the epic choke job in WT20 finals?
Stokes is not all-time great yet, and World T20 matters less than the World Cup. The legacies of a lot of modern day English players will be defined by the 2019 World Cup. This is their best ever chance to win the World Cup. They have the team and its at home, any English player who chokes big time and costs his team the World Cup will do significant damage to his legacy.
You can still be an ATG by failing in World Cups. Most of the legends of SA are ATGs, but they will always be below those ATGs who delivered both in Tests and World Cups. This should not be a difficult concept to understand but apparently it is.
Broad is no ATG either, but both have the opportunity to do something special in the next World Cup. There is a reason why most people don't consider English players ATGs and it is the same reason as the one for SA players. They have failed to deliver in World Cups like other ATGs from other teams.
Is Warne's legacy decided by being utterly destroyed by Aravinda and co in 1996 WC finals?
Warne redeemed himself with his magical performance in the 1999 World Cup, top wicket-taker + MoM performances in both the semifinal and final. Please remind me what the SA legends did or have done to redeem themselves in World Cups?
Is Tendulkar's legacy decided by the hook shot gone wrong in 2003 WC?
Tendulkar was a run machine in World Cups and done it all for India, but there is a reason why for most people, he ranks below Viv in ODIs.
Do you think Tendulkar would be unanimously considered the GOAT ODI batsman had he scored big in either of the two World Cup finals? Most probably yes, and his two failures in 2003 and 2011 is a major reason why he is not an undisputed GOAT in ODIs even though he has all the batting records.
Is Kohli's legacy decided by the horrible hook shot to Johnson in 2015 WC?
If Kohli retires today, his poor World Cup record will count against him. He will be remembered for not standing up for India in World Cups in spite of all the talent and ability. However, he has two more World Cups to make it right and if he does it, he will be remembered alongside the other ATGs (provided he becomes an ATG in Tests as well).
However, only a fool would count him out. He has proved himself in other tournaments and his World Cup record so far can be put down due to inexperience in 2011 and poor form in 2015. However, no excuses will count in 2019. He's at his peak now.
Is Misbah's legacy decided by losing to India in WC 2011?
Yes, Misbah has been Pakistan's nearly man. He brought them close to victory against India in two ICC tournaments but failed to cross the line. His legacy would have been more celebrated than it is now had he won the semifinal for Pakistan.
And the list goes on.....and on....and on....and on....and on.....forever.
I hope the other examples in this list are more substantial and convincing.