Latest revision as of 12:38, 13 April 2025

Champions Trophy trivia
From The Times of India

Note: The feats of the Indian batsmen who have been mentioned at x.4 (and thereafter) under every tournament do not belong to that tournament alone. It is just that that tournament was memorable for that batsman.

[edit] How it all began

Gaurav Gupta| Batting out of an identity crisis| May 26 2017| The Times of India (Delhi)

Since Its Inception, Champions Trophy Has Had To Assert Its Standing. But Cricket's Been Enchanting

Jagmohan Dalmiya was fondly called by many in cricket ad ministrative circles as `Dollar miya' for a good reason. In 1998, as the president of the International Cricket Council (ICC), Dalmiya devised the ICC KnockOut Trophy Wills International Cup (tobacco companies could sponsor sporting events those days). It was a global tournament much inferior in stature to a World Cup, but had enough potential to generate funds for a cash-starved cricket body .

The aim was simple: Generate funds to help develop cricket in associate nations. Dalmiya's vision was to globalise a sport played only by a handful of countries. The inaugural edition held in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka, involved the eight top cricket-playing countries of the world.

It's indeed ironic that about t It's indeed ironic that about two decades later, as the eighth edition of the tournament kicks off in England from June 1, there is no West Indies; instead you have Bangladesh, who didn't play in their `home' event because they weren't eligible, despite having qualified for the 1999 World Cup and winning the 1997 ICC Associates' Trophy .

Sachin Tendulkar, then at the prime of his career, slammed 141 and then took 4-38 to single-handedly script India's 44-run win in the `third quarterfinal' over Australia.That joy , however, was short-lived as they lost to Windies in the semis. The inaugural tournament remains the only major cricket triumph for South Africa, more famous for `choking' at big times, crucially under Hansie Cronje, before he was sensationally named as the sport's leading matchfixer two years later.

In 2000, re-christened as the ICC Champions Trophy, the format was changed from knockouts to league-play to enable top teams to stay longer. Hosted by Kenya, it saw the emergence of a young and fearless India, powered by the arrival of Yuvraj Singh. They reached the final, before being upset by a Chris Cairns-inspired New Zealand.

Sri Lanka 2002 saw Sourav Ganguly's India, riding on youth and power, gallop all the way to the final, where they had to share honours with the hosts after the final was washed off. Even as India crashed out in the league stage in 2004 in England, the pair of West Indies tail-enders Courtney Browne and Ian Bradshaw provided a thrilling finale in a memorable, unbeaten 71-run partnership for the eighth wicket against England at the Oval.

Things, however, had changed when a reluctant India hosted it in 2006. The BCCI officials' main grudge now was that all the money from the event was flowing into the ICC coffers with India gaining little or nothing from it. Worse, the hosts were knocked out before the semis, reducing further interest to a zilch.

By the time the next edition in South Africa in 2009, ODI cricket itself was struggling for existence with the advent of the faster-paced Twenty20. India again failed to reach last four, and a concerned ICC decided that the 2013 edition in England would be the last. At that point, the mandarins in the ICC seemed keen on a World Test championship in the hope to make Test cricket interesting and relevant.

But that didn't work as India struggled badly in Tests in Australia and England in 2011-2012 and there was a fear that they make not even make the cut-off for the final four teams, or even six, for the Test championship. Without India, it would be difficult to find sponsors for a format where the TV ratings and crowd attend ance were dwindling in most countries.

It was in this scenario that MS Dhoni's India, already the ODI world champions in the 2011 tournament at home, won the Champions Trophy in England in 2013.

The impact of this triumph was the sur vival of a tournament which many still feel is a niggling fixture in the calendar in this day and age where T20 cricket rules roost, a gruelling but wildly-followed 45-day IPL being a case in point.

There are still many critics of the Champions Trophy in the Indian board. India is to host the 2021 edition, but if the ICC's proposed ODI league, designed to make bilateral ODI cricket more relevant, kicks off by 2019, then the future of the Champions will become uncertain.

However, even though ODIs feel sort of `old-fashioned' in the T20 age, few things do go in favour of this tourna ment. Unlike the World Cup, it's much shorter and crisper in duration -this edition will last 18 days -and pits only the top teams against each other.

With tickets for the June 4 clash between India and Pakistan at Edgbaston being sold out within just half-hour, it tells you that this tournament may just live on.

Interestingly, conceptualised to gener ate funds for newer cricket pastures, the Champions Trophy may just end up pro ducing revenue which may be critical for the survival of some of the once-powerful but struggling cricketing centres like the West Indies and Pakistan, left in dire straits financially due to lack of international cricket at home.

Do the cricketers want to play in it?

India coach Anil Kumble's suggestion to the BCCI, at the height of the recent tussle between the board and the ICC, that the team didn't want to boycott the event, gives a fair indication of how much it matters to the players. The Champions Trophy, as India skipper Virat Kohli said on eve of the team's departure, is more competitive than the WC, and clearly, every international cricketer worth his salt would want to be tested against the best.

[edit] 1998

Sidharth Gulati | ICC Champions Trophy - Tournament History (From 1998 - 2013) | May 24, 2017 | Hindustan Times

Host: Bangladesh

The 50-over tournament was launched with the first two editions called the ‘ICC Knockout’. The inaugural edition was officially named the Wills International Cup.

The tournament, held from October 24 to November 1, saw South Africa winning their first and till date their only ICC event. Hansie Cronje’s side downed Sri Lanka by 92 runs (D/L) in the semi-final, and riding on Jacques Kallis’ all-round show, got the better of West Indies in the final. With 164 runs and eight wickets in three games, Kallis won the Man-of-the-Match and Man-of-the-Tournament awards.

Special Mention:

Innings of the tournament - Sachin Tendulkar’s 141 against Australia.

The way he played Michael Kasprowicz and Co was breathtaking. His innings was studded with 13 fours and three sixes.

[edit] 1998- South Africa grab a convincing win

ICC Champions Trophy 2017: Winners from previous editions | Express Web Desk |May 25, 2017| Indian Express

In the final of the inaugural edition, it was South Africa and West Indies who were up against each other in Dhaka. Hansie Cronje’s South Africa won the toss and they decided to bowl. The South African bowlers didn’t disappoint their captain either as they scalped an early breakthrough in the form of Clayton Lambert who was undone by Steve Elworthy for 7. But Wallace and Shivnarine Chanderpaul had different ideas. The two compiled a stand of 76 runs for the second wicket before Chanderpaul was trapped in front of the stumps by Nicky Boje for 27. Wickets kept tumbling on the other end but it didn’t effect Philo Wallace who stood strong and scored a hundred to anchor his team to a total of 245 in 49.3 overs. Jacques Kallis went through West Indies middle and lower order to pick up 5 wickets during the course. Daryll Cullinan and Mike Rindel began the proceedings for South Africa in a sensible fashion and put on 54 runs for the first wicket. But South Africa lost two wickets in quick succession and later lost Kallis when the team score read 118. Later Proteas captain Cronje took the responsibility and guided his side to a 4-wicket win in the final. He remained unbeaten at 61.

[edit] India at the Wills International Cup 1998

Aditya Bhattacharya | Down the years: India at the ICC Champions Trophy | May 26, 2017 | IndiaTimes/ The Times of India

The inaugural edition of the tournament featured eight teams. India's campaign opened with a fixture against Australia where Sachin Tendulkar continued his marvellous batting against the Aussies by single-handedly dominated with a match-winning 141 off 128 deliveries. India piled up 307 to which Australia fell short by 44 runs. Their next game against West Indies was the semi-final which the team lost thanks to some superb bowling by pacer Mervyn Dillon who sent Tendulkar and skipper Mohammad Azharuddin back cheaply. Brian Lara (60) along with Shivnarine Chanderpaul (74) made a target of 242 look easy and crossed it in 47 overs with six wickets remaining.

[edit] Champions Trophy finals, 1998

See graphic.

Champions Trophy 1998: the results of the finals.
From The Times of India

[edit] 2000

Sidharth Gulati | ICC Champions Trophy - Tournament History (From 1998 - 2013) | May 24, 2017 | Hindustan Times

Host: Kenya

For the second consecutive time, India’s first game was against the mighty Australia, captained by Steve Waugh. A 80-ball 84 from debutant Yuvraj Singh guided India to a 20-run upset win and knocked out the world champions.

In the semi-final, new skipper Sourav Ganguly’s 141 (against South Africa) left India one step from glory while Shayne O’Connor and Roger Twose’s brilliance sealed the deal for New Zealand against Pakistan.

In the final, Chris Cairns’ unbeaten 102 with a dodgy knee upstaged Ganguly’s 117 as the Kiwis, for the only time, won an ICC event. The victory was made sweeter as they had major injury issues during the tournament. Cairns, Daniel Vettori and Dion Nash missed the semi-final but the others stepped up to the plate as they went on to be crowned champions.

[edit] 2000- Chris Cairns steals victory New Zealand

ICC Champions Trophy 2017: Winners from previous editions | Express Web Desk |May 25, 2017| Indian Express

India in this edition of ICC Knockout tournament found two new heroes in the form of Yuvraj Singh and Zaheer Khan. One emerged to be a swashbuckling striker of the cricket ball while another had the ability to rip apart the opposition batting. But despite of a fantastic run in 2000 edition, India missed out on lifting the trophy when they were beaten by New Zealand in the final in Nairobi. Kiwi skipper Stephen Fleming put India into bat and the Indian batting responded pretty well in the beginning. Captain Sourav Ganguly and Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar, one of the most destructive batting pairs of their time compiled a partnership of 141 runs for the first wicket. Tendulkar scored 69 while Ganguly smashed a hundred on the course. But no other batsman showed any resistance to New Zealand bowling and India were restricted to 264/6. The bowlers though started off with some scintillating stuff and got a couple of early breakthrough. Wickets kept tumbling at regular intervals for Fleming’s side and they were reduced to 132/5. India seemed to be the favourites of lifting the title now but as they say a cricket match isn’t over till the last ball is bowled. All-rounder Chris Cairns took up the challenge and played a riveting knock of 102* while on the other side it was Chris Harris who chipped in with 46. Prasad though eventually got his wicket but it came pretty late for India. New Zealand riding on Cairns’ hundred won the match by 4 wickets.

[edit] India at the ICC Knockout 2000

Aditya Bhattacharya | Down the years: India at the ICC Champions Trophy | May 26, 2017 | IndiaTimes/ The Times of India

The new millennium dawned upon Indian cricket under a new leader in Sourav Ganguly. The tournament was held in Kenya and marked emphatic debuts from Zaheer Khan and Yuvraj Singh. Indian made short work of Kenya in the league game registering a comfortable eight-wicket win with Zaheer picking up three wickets in his debut outing. The quarter-final against then world champions Australia was a closely fought contest and had many unforgettable instances.

Tendulkar's brutal assault on Glenn McGrath derailed the Aussie bowlers early on in the innings, which paved the way for Yuvraj's memorable 84* in his debut innings. Zaheer then produced a picture-perfect yorker to dismiss skipper Steve Waugh which finally sealed the match in India's favour. Next up, India beat defending champions South Africa by 95 run thanks largely to Ganguly's unbeaten 141 and some excellent seam bowling from Zaheer. Going into their first final, India squared off against New Zealand who were coming off 65 and four-run victories against Zimbabwe and Pakistan respectively. Ganguly continued his magnificent run with 117 but it was the Kiwi allrounder Chris Cairns who came out as the real star with an outstanding 102*. Coming in at 109 for 4, Cairns Chris added 122 runs for the sixth wicket with Chris Harris and guided New Zealand home in a tight finish.

[edit] Champions Trophy finals, 2000

See graphic.

Champions Trophy 2000: the results of the finals.
From The Times of India

[edit] Sourav Ganguly (665 runs in 13 matches)

Sagnik Kundu | ICC Champions Trophy 2017: 5 most prolific Indian batsmen in the history of the tournament | 28 May 2017 | Sportskeeda

Sourav Ganguly played in only two matches at the inaugural Champions Trophy in 1998 and managed to get a half-century in the semi-final. By the time the second edition of the tournament would roll out, he had been appointed as the captain in the wake of the match-fixing controversy.

In what was only his second tournament as the captain of the Indian team, Ganguly outshone everyone with his superb performances with the bat whilst leading a young side that had debutants in the form of Zaheer Khan and Yuvraj Singh. In the first match against Kenya, he scored 66 to help India chase down a meagre total. After failing to trouble the scorers much in the game against Australia, he finished the tournament in style with back-to-back centuries - an unbeaten 141 in the semi-final and an 117 in the final.

In 2002, he scored yet another unbeaten century in the semi-final against England. Overall, he amassed 665 runs in 13 matches at a striking average of 73.88, thus becoming the fourth-highest run-getter. In addition to that, he has also hit the maximum sixes (17) in Champions Trophy.

[edit] 2002

Sidharth Gulati | ICC Champions Trophy - Tournament History (From 1998 - 2013) | May 24, 2017 | Hindustan Times

Host: Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka were in magnificent form in the group stage, and after crushing Australia in the semifinal, a second ICC tournament win was on the cards.

Sourav Ganguly-led India, after defeating Zimbabwe and England, pulled off a win over South Africa to reach their second ICC Champions Trophy final. Virender Sehwag’s three-wicket haul and Yuvraj Singh’s acrobatics helped India to a 10-run win after Shaun Pollock’s men were 194/1 in the 38th over chasing 262. With Sri Lanka proving a tough nut to crack, an enthralling final was on its way.

But rain played spoilsport in the final, including the reserve day after the game was started afresh, and India and Sri Lanka were declared joint winners. Sehwag finished as the leading run-getter (271) while Muttiah Muralitharan was the highest wicket-taker (10).

[edit] 2002- Rain washes out India’s dream

ICC Champions Trophy 2017: Winners from previous editions | Express Web Desk |May 25, 2017| Indian Express

ICC Champions Trophy had now arrived to Sri Lanka and it was the two Asian giants, India and hosts Sri Lanka who locked horns in finals. But this edition of the Champions Trophy had to settle down with an unusual result when the trophy was shared between the two sides after both the finals in Colombo were washed out due to rain.

In the first final, Sri Lanka opted to bat first after winning the toss and scored 244/5 in 50 overs. Captain Sanath Jayasuriya smashed 74 runs while wicket-keeper batsman Kumar Sangakkara scored 54. For India it was Harbhajan Singh who emerged to be the pick of the bowlers after getting 3 wickets in the process. India’s openers Virender Sehwag and Dinesh Mogia began the innings. Sehwag began with his natural game when the match was halted by rain. India were 14/0 in 2 overs at that time. No further play took place and the match was called off.

The second final took place on the next day (reserve day) and it was again Jayasuriya who opted to bat first. This time he was cleaned up for a golden duck by Zaheer. Sri Lanka kept losing wickets at regular intervals and it was only Russel Arnold who scored a half century. Sri Lanka managed 222/7 in 50 overs this time. India’s chase went on for a longer time on this occasion but unfortunately was never concluded. India were 38/1 in 8.4 overs when the covers came on and the match was eventually called off.

[edit] India at the ICC Champions Trophy 2002

Aditya Bhattacharya | Down the years: India at the ICC Champions Trophy | May 26, 2017 | IndiaTimes/ The Times of India

Sri Lanka hosted the third installment of the tournament. With five months to go for the 2003 World Cup, India saw this as the ideal platform to gear up for the extravaganza. They were high on confidence with the Natwest Final behind their back a couple months earlier. Playing without a sponsor, India started off on a positive note against Zimbabwe riding on Mohammad Kaif's maiden ODI century. His 111* came at a time when India were in a spot of bother having lost five wickets for 87. In reply, Zimbabwe tried hard but couldn't get past the line despite Andy Flower's 145.

The 11 match saw India make a mockery of England's total of 269. Virender Sehwag, who was beginning to make a mark in world cricket, was in murderous form and was sent up the order to open the innings with skipper Ganguly. Both openers scored hundreds and went on a rampage smashing the English bowlers all over the Premadasa. Ganguly (126) and Sehwag's (117*) helped India chase down the target in just 39.3 overs and book a semi-final birth.

South Africa had played some inspiring cricket themselves and facing them in the semis was a tough nut to crack. India started their innings with Sehwag once again getting into the thick of things scoring 59 and later Yuvraj's 62 helped put up a competitive 261. South Africa began the chase well and were soaring at 192 for 1 but once Herschelle Gibbs (117) left the field due to dehydration and cramps, South Africa slumped to 247 for 5. Sehwag picked up three wickets which allowed India to hold their nerves and make their second successive Champions Trophy final. Rain played spoil-sport in the final which was contested twice and India were declared joint-winners with Sri Lanka.

[edit] Champions Trophy finals, 2002

See graphic.

Champions Trophy 2002: the results of the finals.
From The Times of India

[edit] Virender Sehwag (389 runs in 10 matches)

Sagnik Kundu | ICC Champions Trophy 2017: 5 most prolific Indian batsmen in the history of the tournament | 28 May 2017 | Sportskeeda

Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag was a part of India’s Champions Trophy squad on three occasions, in 2002, in 2004 and in 2006. India, of course, were the joint winners in the 2002 edition but in 2004 and also in 2006, they were ousted in the group stages.

Sehwag’s performance, however, had always been top notch. In the 10 Champions Trophy matches he had featured in, the attacking batsman had amassed 389 runs at an average of 48.62. His best, though, came in the group-stage match against England back in 2002. Chasing an imposing target of 270, Sehwag and Sourav Ganguly gave India a terrific start.

Sehwag would go in to smash 126 runs off just 104 balls, an innings laced with 21 fours and one six. He scored another half-century, this time against South Africa and eventually finished as the highest run-getter of the tournament. The next two editions, however, were not so memorable for him.

[edit] Sachin Tendulkar (441 runs in 16 matches)

Sagnik Kundu | ICC Champions Trophy 2017: 5 most prolific Indian batsmen in the history of the tournament | 28 May 2017 | Sportskeeda

It is impossible to not find Sachin Tendulkar’s name in any list of most prolific Indian batsmen, such are the run-scoring feats of the great one. Arguably the best batsman to have ever played the sport, Tendulkar was not always at his best at the so-called Mini World Cup.

Just one of his 49 centuries in ODIs came at the ICC Champions Trophy. In 16 matches, he scored 441 runs at an average of 36.75. However, his knock of 141 in the quarter-final match against Australia in 1998 is still one his most memorable innings. Coming into bat at a time when India had already lost two crucial wickets, Tendulkar took on the Aussie bowlers and helped India cross the 300-mark.

In response, Australia could only reach 263, thanks to some inspiring spin bowling from the great man himself. That India won the trophy in 2002, would have no doubt eased his pain of not scoring enough runs in the tournament.

[edit] Rahul Dravid (627 runs in 19 matches)

Sagnik Kundu | ICC Champions Trophy 2017: 5 most prolific Indian batsmen in the history of the tournament | 28 May 2017 | Sportskeeda

Rahul Dravid, widely regarded as one of the most technically sound batsmen ever, was an integral member of India’s squad in as many as six Champions Trophy campaigns from 1998 to 2009. And, in those campaigns, he played in 19 matches amassing 627 runs in the process at an average of 48.23.

Dravid would bat at various positions, in accordance with the requirement of the team. However, that never deterred his resolve or hunger to score runs. What strikes though is how unfortunate he had been at the Champions Trophy tournaments, having been run out on six of the 13 occasions he was dismissed.

Having played the most number of matches among Indians in the tournament, he definitely would have been more prolific had lady luck favoured him. Nevertheless, he is still the sixth-highest run-getter in the history of the tournament and the second-most successful Indian batsman.

[edit] 2004

Sidharth Gulati | ICC Champions Trophy - Tournament History (From 1998 - 2013) | May 24, 2017 | Hindustan Times

Host: England

Twelve teams competed in 15 matches played within 15 days and the final was played between the hosts and West Indies.

Marcus Trescothick’s well-compiled 104 and Ashley Giles’ 31 propelled England to 217. In reply, the Windies lost wickets at regular intervals and were reeling at 147/8. Courtney Browne and Ian Bradshaw came to the rescue and their unbeaten 71-run partnership left Michael Vaughan’s side gutted as West Indies lifted their first Champions Trophy title with seven balls to spare.

The triumph was just what Caribbean cricket needed, something they had never expected with the kind of form they were in coming into the tournament.

[edit] 2004- England lose another major final

ICC Champions Trophy 2017: Winners from previous editions | Express Web Desk |May 25, 2017| Indian Express

The 2004 Champions Trophy final took place in London. West Indies were in their second final of the Champions Trophy while hosts England were playing their first. Brian Lara after winning the toss invited the hosts to bat first. Riding on Marcus Trescothik’s 104, England managed a total of 217 in 49.4 overs. The English bowlers took a great advantage of home conditions to begin the proceedings well after they got Wavel Hinds’ wicket when the score read 19. England kept troubling the Caribbean batting line up to reduce them to 135/7 and later left them tottering at 147/8. England were now hopeful of lifting a major ICC title but Ian Bradshaw and Browne decided to write a different script. The two remained unbeaten in a partnership of 71 runs for the ninth wicket. Left-handed Bradshaw finished things off in style when he smashed a four through the cover region and celebrated the win in a typical Calypso manner.

[edit] India at the ICC Champions Trophy 2004

Aditya Bhattacharya | Down the years: India at the ICC Champions Trophy | May 26, 2017 | IndiaTimes/ The Times of India

India had an unforgettable World Cup campaign the previous year and many expected the team to continue the good work from South Africa. But it was not to be. India's opener against Kenya was a one-sided affair at The Rose Bowl courtesy a solid 90 from Ganguly - who led India in a third consecutive edition. However, they lost to arch-rivals Pakistan in a game that saw India's batting collapse being bundled out for 200. Rahul Dravid, who top-scored with 67, had quite a few confrontations with paceman Shoaib Akhtar. Defending their total, India started off well as Irfan Pathan removed the first three Pakistan batsmen with just 27 on the board, thus continuing his glorious form against India's neighbours. Yousuf Youhana's unbeaten 81 along with Inzamam-ul-Haq's 49 stabilized the innings and Pakistan reached won in the last over to bring down the curtains on India's campaign.

[edit] Champions Trophy finals, 2004

See graphic.

Champions Trophy 2004: the results of the finals.
From The Times of India

[edit] 2006

Sidharth Gulati | ICC Champions Trophy - Tournament History (From 1998 - 2013) | May 24, 2017 | Hindustan Times

Host: India

The Aussies won the only prize missing from their impressive trophy cabinet. After performing brilliantly in the group stage, Ricky Ponting’s men dismantled New Zealand in the semis and upstaged defending champions West Indies by eight wickets in the final. Shane Watson was the Man-of-the-Match, scoring 57 and taking two wickets.

The tournament had its fair share of controversies. Before it started, Pakistan fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif were banned for using performance-enhancing drugs. At the presentation ceremony after the final, the Australian team was accused of ‘misbehaving’ for pushing aside BCCI President Sharad Pawar on the victory podium. Some wanted action to be taken against the champions but the matter was put to rest after Ponting apologised to Pawar.

[edit] 2006- Australia thump West Indies

ICC Champions Trophy 2017: Winners from previous editions | Express Web Desk |May 25, 2017| Indian Express

West Indies played back to back Champions Trophy final and were up against Australia in this edition. Australia previously haven’t made it to a Champions Trophy final. Batting first, West Indies were bundled out for 138 in 30.4 overs. In reply, the target was reduced to 116 in 35 overs for Australia after D/L method came into play. The Aussies lost Adam Gilchrist and captain Rickty Ponting cheaply but Shane Watson’s 57 and Damien Martyn’s 47 guided them to a victory by 8 wickets.

[edit] India at the ICC Champions Trophy 2006

Aditya Bhattacharya | Down the years: India at the ICC Champions Trophy | May 26, 2017 | IndiaTimes/ The Times of India

When the Champions Trophy came to India in 2006, many believed it to be the host's best chance to lay hands on the coveted prize. But sadly, the team was marred by the Greg Chappell-Ganguly controversy and Tendulkar's dip in form. The edition had participation from all 10 Test playing nations and India were grouped with West Indies, England and Australia. They first played England in Jaipur where the bowlers dismissed England for just 125 which India chased with four wickets in hand. Next up, they suffered a close loss at the hands of Brian Lara's West Indies after an all-round display of skills.

To qualify to the semis, India needed to beat Australia in Mohali. India batted and managed 249 thanks to half centuries from Sehwag (65) and skipper Dravid (52), along with some handful contributions down the order. However, half-centuries from Shane Watson, Ricky Ponting and Damien Martyn acted as the final nail in the coffin and India were ousted without making it to the semis for the second consecutive occasion.

[edit] Champions Trophy finals, 2006

See graphic.

Champions Trophy 2006: the results of the finals.
From The Times of India

[edit] 2009

Sidharth Gulati | ICC Champions Trophy - Tournament History (From 1998 - 2013) | May 24, 2017 | Hindustan Times

Host: South Africa

It was another chance for ‘Nice Guys’ New Zealand to finish first but Australia, led by Shane Watson’s century, successfully defended the title after going through a lean patch in limited-overs for almost a year.

With Michael Clarke, Brad Haddin and Nathan Bracken missing, the job wasn’t as easy. But Ricky Ponting’s inspired leadership and stellar shows from Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle and Tim Paine enabled Australia to emerge fitting champions.

The Australia skipper ended as the highest run-getter (288 runs in five matches) while South Africa pacer Wayne Parnell took the most scalps (11).

West Indies sent a second string due to a stand-off between the players and the cricket Board.

[edit] 2009- Australia defend title comprehensively

ICC Champions Trophy 2017: Winners from previous editions | Express Web Desk |May 25, 2017| Indian Express

Australia played their second Champions Trophy final on the trot and they took on New Zealand in Centurion in this edition. Batting first, New Zealand found themselves in a spot of bother when left struggling at 94/5. Though, Neil Broom and James Franklin showed some resistance to Australian bowling and ended their quota of 50 overs at 200/9. In reply, Shane Watson’s unbeaten 105 and Cameron White’s 62 anchored them to a six-wicket win.

[edit] India at the ICC Champions Trophy 2009

Aditya Bhattacharya | Down the years: India at the ICC Champions Trophy | May 26, 2017 | IndiaTimes/ The Times of India

Played after a gap of three years, the tournament went to South Africa - where India had fond memories of the 2003 World Cup. A lot had changed as India, under the leadership of MS Dhoni, had started to dominate and had victories in Australia and New Zealand. But their first game against Pakistan was a bitter disappointment. The Indian bowlers were hammered, and their spinners Harbhajan Singh and Yusuf Pathan went for 127 runs in 20 overs. Shoaib Malik scored 128 off 126 deliveries and was supported immensely by Mohammad Yousuf (89). India started off the chase nicely with Gautam Gambhir going strong at the top, but the rest of the batting crumbled due to some discipline bowling from Pakistan. Dravid (76) and Suresh Raina (46) tried but India eventually fell short by 54 runs. The second game against Australia was a wash out after the Aussies put up 234 for 42.3 overs which further dented India's chances of qualifying to the semis. India thrashed West Indies in the next game at Johannesburg with a seven-wicket win but it wasn't enough as Pakistan and Australia made it to the semi-finals with a couple of wins each.

[edit] Champions Trophy finals, 2009

See graphic.

Champions Trophy 2009: the results of the finals.
From The Times of India

[edit] 2013

Sidharth Gulati | ICC Champions Trophy - Tournament History (From 1998 - 2013) | May 24, 2017 | Hindustan Times

Host: England

Flawless performances from Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led India powered them to their second Champions Trophy title.

The conditions in England were more batsmen friendly. While Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Ravindra Jadeja made life difficult for batsmen, Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma combined well to make it five wins in five for the Men in Blue.

The biggest moment of the tournament came when Dhoni decided to give the 18th over to Ishant Sharma in the rain-curtailed, 20-over final at Birmingham. With Eoin Morgan and Ravi Bopara at the crease, it was a gamble as the lanky seamer had been expensive, but his double strike turned the game in India’s favour. Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin did the rest as India stole the crown in the 20-20 sprint.

[edit] 2013- India bring title home

ICC Champions Trophy 2017: Winners from previous editions | Express Web Desk |May 25, 2017| Indian Express

This edition of the Champions Trophy was hosted by England and it was the hosts who locked horns with India in the final game. It was a rain-affected final and the overs were reduced to 20 aside in Birmingham. India batted first and rode on a responsible partnership between Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja to score 129/7 in allotted 20 overs. Kohli scored 47 while Jadeja was unbeaten at 33. England started their chase in a dismal fashion. They lost skipper at a score of 3 while were reduced to 46/4 before Ravi Bopara and Eoin Morgan took on the responsibility. The two looked strong at the crease but a master-stroke from skipper MS Dhoni worked in a perfect manner for the Men in Blue. Ishant Sharma was handed over the ball in the 18th over and Morgan was on strike. England at that position needed 28 off 18. Left-handed Morgan missed out on the first delivery but smashed a six on the second one. Sharma then bowled two consecutive wide deliveries. But the real drama was still left to unfold. The fast bowler bowled a full length delivery outside off-stump while bowling from around the wicket. Morgan tried to go over mid-wicket area but he only managed to give a sitter to Ashwin at mid-on. The left-hander was gone and the task was now up to Bopara. He was on strike as the two batsmen had changed their ends on the previous delivery. Ishant now bowled a short delivery and Bopara pulled it only to find Ashwin at square-leg. The home side eventually needed 6 runs off the last ball. Ashwin was bowling this over and Tredwell was on strike. The left-handed batsman completely missed the delivery to hand India 77 a win by 5 runs.

[edit] India at the ICC Champions Trophy 2013

K Shriniwas Rao | A HAPPY HUNTING GROUND | May 30 2017 : The Times of India

2013 CHAMPIONS TROPHY

India won all their four matches in the tournament, including the final. Two wins came chasing while two defending the total ­ a cricketing equilibrium of sorts that showcased India's complete domination.

SHIKHAR DHAWAN:

The left-handed opener was the highest scorer at the tournament with 363 runs in five innings, a highest of 114, two centuries and a half-century.

RAVINDRA JADEJA:

Tournament's MVP, the Saurashtra lad made the edition his own ­ to a certain extent with the bat, to a large extent with the ball but to an unimaginable extent with his mindset and temperament. Jadeja picked 12 wickets in five matches, not to forget his outstanding fielding in the covers and catches that changed the course of a game more than once.

[edit] II

Aditya Bhattacharya | Down the years: India at the ICC Champions Trophy | May 26, 2017 | IndiaTimes/ The Times of India

In what was then deemed by the ICC to be the final edition of the event, India beat England in a T20 thriller to give India their second title. India's successful campaign was led by a red-hot Shikhar Dhawan, who compiled an astonishing 363 runs at an average of over 90. He slammed his maiden ODI century in India's opener against South Africa and carried his form in next second match against West Indies with another century. The much-awaited clash against Pakistan saw India claim a hat-trick of wins on the back of a clinical performance by their bowlers, who skittled out the opposition for 165. 5. Rain threatened the outcome, but India were declared winners through the D/L method.

The semi-final pit India against Sri Lanka, in which three wickets each by Ishant and R Ashwin restricted the opposition to 181. India romped home by eight wickets with half-centuries from Dhawan and Virat Kohli. Incessant rain reduced the final to a 20-over fixture, where India were limited to 129 with Ravi Bopara claiming 3/20. In reply however, England slipped to 4/46 before Bopara and Eoin Morgan staged a comeback with a 65-run alliance. Ishant came back to remove both batsmen off successive deliveries to squeeze the life out of England's chase, Ashwin successfully defended four off the last ball and Dhoni, in a rare show of emotions, jumped in glory to celebrate his third ICC tournament win

[edit] Champions Trophy finals, 2013

See graphic.

Champions Trophy 2013: the results of the finals.
From The Times of India

[edit] Shikhar Dhawan (363 runs in 5 matches)

Sagnik Kundu | ICC Champions Trophy 2017: 5 most prolific Indian batsmen in the history of the tournament | 28 May 2017 | Sportskeeda

The 2013 Champions Trophy is often dubbed as Shikhar Dhawan’s tournament. Thanks to his heroics, India were able to lift the trophy for the first time since 2002.

The swashbuckling opener scored 363 runs in the tournament at an incredible average of 90.75 as he announced his arrival to the world. In the very first match, he smashed a 94-ball 114 to help India win against the mighty South Africans. He followed it up with yet another century against the West Indies as India won the match by 8 wickets.

Dhawan continued his fairytale run with a quickfire 48 against Pakistan and another half-century against Sri Lanka. In the final, as well, he contributed to India’s narrow win over England with a 24-ball 31. Following India’s success, he was deservingly named as the Player of the Tournament.

[edit] 2017

Sidharth Gulati | ICC Champions Trophy - Tournament History (From 1998 - 2013) | May 24, 2017 | Hindustan Times

The June 1-18 tournament was held in England for the third time.

In what can be termed as the lowest point in their cricketing history, West Indies did not feature in the tournament as they weren’t among the top eight teams in ICC rankings on September 30, 2015 - the cut-off date for qualification. Bangladesh returned to the tournament for the first time since 2006.

[edit] India beat Pakistan by 124 runs (D/L)

| IndiaTimes/ The Times of India

India kicked off their defence of the ICC Champions trophy beating Pakistan by 124 runs (D/L) in their opening match at Edgbaston, Birmingham. India put on 319 for three despite two rain interruptions in 48 overs and managed to bundle out Pakistan for 164 in 33.4 overs. India’s top four registered fifties and the Man of the Match went to Yuvraj Singh for a blistering knock off 53 off just 32 deliveries. Rohit Sharma top-scored for India with 119-ball 91-run knock while skipper Virat Kohli remained unbeaten on 81 off 68 deliveries. With the ball, Umesh Yadav led from the front scalping three wickets while Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja took two apiece.

[edit] Sri Lanka beat India

| IndiaTimes/ The Times of India

Riding on half-centuries from Danushka Gunathilaka (76 off 72) and Kusal Mendis (89 off 93), Sri Lanka stunned defending champions India

Sri Lanka overhauled India’s total of 321 for six with seven wickets in hand and eight balls remaining

For India, Dhawan scored 125 while Rohit Sharma (78 off 79) and MS Dhoni (63 off 52) registered half-centuries

[edit] Bangladesh beat New Zealand

(Vishaal Loganathan |Shakib-Mahmudullah duet pulls off Bangladesh's stunning heist |10 Jun, 2017 The Times of India)

Shakib and Mahmudullah shared a game-changing alliance of 224 for the fifth wicket

Mosaddek Hossain starred with the ball for the underdogs, taking three for 13 while bowling at the death to restrict New Zealand to 265 in their 50 overs. In reply, Bangladesh found themselves staring down the barrel at 33/4. In Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah, Bangladesh found their heroes for the cause. The experienced pair smashed the record for Bangladesh's highest ever partnership.

For the first time in the Champions Trophy 2017, the pacers were able to swing the ball.

Brief scores: New Zealand 265/8 in 50 overs (Ross Taylor 63, Kane Williamson 57; Mosaddek Hossain Saikat 3-13) lost to Bangladesh 268/5 in 47.2 overs (Shakib Al Hasan 114, Mahmudullah 102*; Tim Southee 3-45) by five wickets.

[edit] Pakistan beat South Africa

Sarfraz lauds bowlers after Pakistan victory | Jun 09 2017 AGENCIES

Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed said playing in front of a `home' crowd had helped inspire his side to a shock 19-run win over the world's No. 1 -ranked ODI side, South Africa, at Edgbaston. “I think the difference was our bowling and fielding,“ said wicketkeeper-captain Sarfraz.“Mohammad Hafeez and Imad Wasim bowled well and they took the pressure off for us,“ he said.

[edit] Bangladesh qualify for the semifinal

A semifinal for Bangla after rain, England end Oz misery | Jun 11 2017 | AGENCIES

England knocked Australia out of the Champions Trophy with a 40-run win over their arch-rivals on the Duckworth-LewisStern method at Edgbaston. The result meant Australia's all three matches in the tournament have been affected by rain and it paved the way for Bangladesh to become the first Asian team to qualify for the semifinal of the tournament. Tournament outsider Bangladesh finished [in the] second place courtesy of their win over New Zealand.

[edit] India beat South Africa, entered semi-final

Vineet Ramakrishnan | TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Jun 11, 2017 | ICC Champions Trophy: India pummel South Africa to enter semi-final

Defending champions India made it to the semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy by defeating South Africa in a must-win encounter in the final league match by eight wickets at the Kennington Oval, London.

After bowling out the number one ranked ODI team for a paltry 191, India chased down the target with 12 overs remaining

Shikhar Dhawan top-scored with an 83-ball 78-run knock while skipper Virat Kohli remained unbeaten on 76

Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah claimed two wickets each. This is the fifth-time India have reached the semi-final stage of the Champions Trophy.

[edit] Pakistan beat Sri Lanka, entered semi-final

Sarfraz, Amir guide Pak into semis with fine win over Lanka| Jun 13 2017 : The Times of India (Delhi)

Captain Sarfraz Ahmed and Mohammad Amir kept their nerve to help Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by three wickets to qualify for the Champions Trophy semifinal. The duo added unbeaten 75 runs for the eighth wicket as they chased down a modest target of 237 with 31 balls to spare. Sarfraz finished with unbeaten 61 off 79 balls as Amir gave him company with 28 crucial runs.

[edit] Pakistan stun England to reach final

ICC Champions Trophy: Pakistan stun England to reach final | Jun 14, 2017 | IndiaTimes/ The Times of India

Pakistan shocked favourites England by eight wickets with a spirited performance both with the bat and ball. Hasan Ali returned 3 for 35 in his 10 while Rumman Raees and Junaid Khan took two apiece After bowling out England for 211, Pakistan made short work of the target and led by Azhar Ali (76). They chased down the total for the loss of two wickets and 12.5 overs to spare.

[edit] India beat Bangladesh to meet Pakistan in the final

Dominant India set up blockbuster Pakistan final | Jun 15, 2017 | IndiaTimes/ The Times of India

A combined bowling effort helped India restrict Bangladesh to 264/7

India dished out a clinical performance to book a record fourth final appearance at the ICC Champions Trophy after sweeping aside Bangladesh in a one-sided affair in Edgbaston. Powered by a measured century from Rohit Sharma (123*) and a brisk fifty from captain Virat Kohli (96*), India coasted to a nine-wicket win, chasing down 265 in 40.1 overs.

[edit] Former captain Sohail insinuates that Pakistan fixed its success

Aamer Sohail accuses Pakistan of 'fixing' their way to Champions Trophy final | Jun 16, 2017| TIMESOFINDIA.COM

Fixing claims seem to have returned to mar Pakistan cricket. Former captain Aamer Sohail has vaguely accused the team of making it to the final of the ICC Champions Trophy on the basis of "external forces". During an interview to a Pakistan news channel, the former opener has said that the team should not be flying too high, because if they're in the final, it's because "they were supposed to".

"We will congratulate you when you play well but we'll also criticise you when you don't. They [Pakistan team] should not be flying too high on their success at the moment because we know that they've been 'brought' to this position", Sohail said.

Sohail however, did not say anything beyond that, something that has left everyone puzzled. What was interesting to notice was that sharing the screen space with Sohail was Pakistan great Javed Miandad, who did not counter the claims of his former team-mate.

[edit] Pakistan beat India in the final

Jamie Alter | Champions Trophy: Pakistan steamroll abject India to claim title | Jun 18, 2017 | IndiaTimes/ The Times of India

Brief scores: Pakistan 338/4 in 50 overs (Fakhar Zaman 114, Azhar Ali 59, Mohammad Hafeez 57*) beat India 158 in 30.2 overs (Hardik Pandya 76, Mohammad Amir 3/16, Hasan Ali 3/19) by 180 runs

This was Pakistan first ICC title since winning the 2009 World Twenty20 in a similarly incomprehensible manner

Fakhar Zaman scored his maiden ODI century in his fourth appearance

The foundation was stunning, with Azhar Ali and Fakhar Zaman forging Pakistan's best opening stand in over two years, with the latter marching on to score his maiden ODI century in his fourth appearance. And where the script was apt for a trademark collapse, the level-headedness of Babar Azam was followed by the utterly unpredictable Mohammad Hafeez leading a superbly orchestrated late assault - the result being a total of 338/4.

India never got close, meaning that the highest successful chase in an ICC tournament final remains the 277/4 that MS Dhoni's team made to clinch the 2011 World Cup.

The Indian team, ranked second in ODIs and just one point behind South Africa, bowled poorly for more than three-quarters of this match, conceding 25 extras, and lost their main three batsmen to Mohammad Amir even before the leading bowler of the tournament, Hasan Ali, had bowled a ball. From six wickets down in 17 overs, the inevitable was delayed by Hardik Pandya's six-fuelled 76 before India were bowled out for 158 in the 31st over.

The match, in truth, was lost from the time India asked Pakistan to bat on a warm afternoon, under clear skies and on a flat surface. And to think, it could have been very different had Jasprit Bumrah not over-stepped to start the fourth over of this blockbuster final. Zaman was on 3 at the time, and looking out of sorts. Bumrah's no-ball gave him a life, he then hit two plucky bottom-handed boundaries and that, as the old saying goes, was the horse bolting out of the proverbial stables

[edit] 2025

[edit] India beats Pakistan

Gaurav Gupta, February 24, 2025: The Times of India

Scoreboard, India vs Pakistan, League match, 2025
From: Gaurav Gupta, February 24, 2025: The Times of India

Dubai : For a while, it looked like he would narrowly miss his date with destiny. And then, Virat Kohli skipped out of the crease, unleashed that thunderous cover drive off Khushdil Shah for a four, and there it was — century No. 51 in ODIs, two more than the legendary Sachin Tendulkar’s 49, and the first since the landmark No. 50 came with Tendulkar watching at the Wankhede Stadium in the 2023 World Cup semifinal against New Zealand.


Soon after hitting the boundary, which took him past his ton and India to a six-wicket win over a listless Pakistan, Kohli took his helmet off and looked towards the skies, and then asked his captain, Rohit Sharma to calm down, since he had been out there in the middle! Shrugging off the “outside noise” and all the talk about his ability to play spin, “King Kohli,” who trained for an extra couple of hours on the eve of the match against local spinners with India’s batting coaches, roared back into form in grand style when it mattered most in the big game.


Unleashing his vintage form with injured premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah watching from the stands along with several other former and current cricketing stars of India and Pakistan, India’s ageing warrior, rolled back the years to crack 100 not out (111b, 7x4), adding 114 in 128 balls for the third wicket with Shreyas Iyer (56, 67b, 5x4, 1x6) at the Dubai International Stadium.
 Going past the landmark of 14,000 ODI runs – by reaching there in just his 287th innings, he broke Tendulkar’s record (350 innings) with a trademark cover drive off Haris Rauf, the 36-yearold reached his half-century, off 62 balls, with a four to deep cover for four off Shaheen Shah Afridi.


India, the 2023 World Cup finalists, have now virtually entered the semifinals of the Champions Trophy. Meanwhile, much to their embarrassment and their fans’ disappointment, the crushing defeat to their arch-rivals has almost sent Pakistan, the defending champions and the tournament hosts, packing after they lost their first two matches to New Zealand and India. If New Zealand beat Bangladesh in Rawalpindi on Monday, India are through to the last four, while Pakistan will be officially out. 
Apart from their below-par bowling and batting, Pakistan were left to rue their poor fielding too, as they left off Iyer on 25 when Saud Shakeel dropped a chance at mid-wicket off Khushdil. Khushdil himself was guilty of dropping India opener Shubman Gill at mid-wicket in the 11th over off Rauf. 
Continuing his blazing form, Gill cracked a stroke-filled 46 (52b, 7x4) before he was castled by a ‘jaffa’ from leggie Abrar Ahmed — the ball turned a fair bit to hit the top of the offstump— while Indian captain Rohit Sharma again provided India a brisk start with a 15-ball 20-run cameo that included three fours and a six. 


Rohit lost his middle stump to a superb inswinging yorker unleashed by Shaheen Shah Afridi, conjuring up memories of an lbw dismissal for duck at the hands of a similar ‘masterpiece’ by Afridi back in the 2021 T20 World Cup. That was the only cheer for Pakistan and Afridi on the night, as the left-arm quick went for 2-74 in eight overs.


Earlier, delivering an efficient show, India’s bowlers wrapped up Pakistan’s innings for 241 in 49.4 overs. Opting to bat first, Pakistan, apart from a phase when middle-order batters Shakeel and skipper Mohammed Rizwan added 104 for the third wicket, kept losing wickets regularly.

[edit] Semi-finals: India Beats New Zealand

Gaurav Gupta. March 3, 2025: The Times of India

Scoreboard, India vs New Zealand, Champions Trophy 2025
From: Gaurav Gupta. March 3, 2025: The Times of India

Following his successful India return on Oct 6 at Gwalior last year with figures of 3-31 against Bangladesh in the first T20I, Varun Chakravarthy has experienced an extraordinary career resurgence.


At the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday, the 33-year-old spinner, playing only his second ODI, dismantled New Zealand with his mystery wrist and finger spin with figures of 5-42 in 10 overs, securing India’s 44-run victory in the final group match of the ICC Champions Trophy. Notably, this venue previously marked a low point in his career during the 2021 T20 World Cup where he went wicketless on a dewy evening against Pakistan as India crashed to a 10-wicket loss. In his other two games at the venue in that tournament, he had gone wicketless and that caused him to spend a lengthy period in the wilderness.


It was a tactical masterstroke by India to field four spinners on a turning surface, with Varun replacing pace bowler Harshit Rana. While Varun did the star turn, fellow tweakers Kuldeep Yadav (2-56), Axar Patel (1-32), and Ravindra Jadeja (1-36) also bamboozled the Kiwis.


India, having won all three group matches, topped Group A and will face Australia in Dubai on Tuesday, seeking redemption for their 2023 ODI World Cup final loss on Nov 19 in Ahmedabad. New Zealand will compete against South Africa in Lahore on Wednesday. Varun’s effectiveness was visible from his first over itself as his deliveries and variations troubled all batters consistently as New Zealand struggled to break free and score at the required run-rate that kept mounting with every dot they faced. New Zealand ended up consuming 150 dots. Varun’s victims included Will Young (22), Glenn Phillips (12), Michael Bracewell (2), Mitchell Santner (28), and Matt Henry (2).


After claiming 14 wickets in the T20I series against England, Varun showed that he has it in him to successfully adapt to the ODI format. He is also the earliest among Indian bowlers to bag a five-for, having achieved the feat in his second game. Stuart Binny, who picked 6/4 vs Bangladesh in Mirpur in 2014, held the earlier record, having done so in his third ODI.
Kiwi maestro Kane Williamson’s brilliant 81 wasn’t enough for the Black Caps to stave off defeat as the combined efforts of India’s spinners proved too much to negotiate as New Zealand folded up for 205 in 45.3 overs.


Earlier, Shreyas Iyer’s solid 79 anchored India’s innings, though Mark Henry’s spell of 5-42 limited India to 249-9.
Batting first, India struggled initially at 30-3, before Iyer and Axar Patel (42) stabilised the in- nings with a 98-run partnership. Hardik Pandya’s 45-run cameo provided the innings with late momentum. Henry’s bowling excellence was complemented by exceptional fielding, including remarkable catches by Glenn Phillips to dismiss Kohli (11) and Williamson to remove Jadeja (16).


Iyer, maintaining his consistent form (59, 44 & 78 vs England) and knocks of 15, 56 in the Champions Trophy, played cautiously alongside Axar. The highlight of his knock was a lofted straight six off O’Rourke in the 35th over.
India’s early setbacks included the dismissals of Rohit Sharma (15), Shubman Gill (2), and Kohli.

[edit] India beats Australia in SFs

Gaurav Gupta, March 5, 2025: The Times of India

It was a six that revived sweet memories of the one MS Dhoni struck in the final of the 2011 World Cup. Skipping down the track to Glenn Maxwell, KL Rahul sent the ball soaring over long-on in the 49th over, finishing off India’s 265-run chase with 11 balls to spare.


Letting out a celebratory shriek, Rahul, often under scrutiny for being preferred over Rishabh Pant in India’s ODI side, proved his worth when it mattered, stroking a quickfire 42 not out (34 balls; 2x4, 2x6). Hardik Pandya’s cameo of 28 (24b; 1x4, 3x6), that saw the allrounder smash back-to-back sixes off Adam Zampa in the 47th over, and a huge 106m giant six hit off Tanveer Sangha, added to the entertainment quotient here in the first semifinal.


All this, of course, was just the icing on the cake. The main architect of India’s five-wicket win was that man again, Virat Kohli, who always seems to reserve his best for the big occasion.


Directing India’s tricky chase on a slow pitch, Kohli slammed a magnificent 84 (98b; 5x4) as India made their third Champions Trophy final in a row and fifth overall. Rohit Sharma’s men will now play the winner of the second semifinal between South Africa and New Zealand in the final — now to be held here in Dubai — on Sunday.


The victory, to some extent, erased the pain of Australia’s victory by six wickets in the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup in Ahmedabad. Just like Indian fans, Rahul, who had crawled to a 107-ball 66 on that day, too deleted the bad memories.
Apart from the usually pristine straight drives, pulls and cuts, the hallmark of this Kohli innings was the ability to rotate strike and run swiftly between the wickets. The 36-year-old enjoyed being on the right side of lady luck too, as he was let off on 51 in the 26th over by Maxwell, usually a brilliant fielder, at short mid-off. The bowler to suffer was left-arm spinner Cooper Connolly, playing in place of the injured Matthew Short.


Giving wings to India’s innings, Kohli put on 91 in 111 balls for the third wicket with Shreyas Iyer (45; 62b, 3x4), before the Mumbai batsman was bowled while trying to cut an Zampa delivery. Kohli then added 44 in 52 balls for the fourth wicket with Axar Patel (27; 30b, 1x4, 1x6) and 47 in 46 balls for the fifth wicket with Rahul to take India closer to the final berth.


Kohli walked in after India lost Shubman Gill in the fifth over, bowled off an inside edge while pulling left-arm pacer Ben Dwarshuis. Rohit was dropped twice but his luck ran out soon after, trapped LBW while missing a sweep off left-arm spinner Connolly. Earlier, skipper Steve Smith (73; 96b, 4x4, 1x6) and wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey (61; 57b, 8x4, 1x6) slammed sublime half-centuries. However, another fine bowling performance by India, led by veteran pacer Mohammed Shami (3/48), helped them keep Australia to 264 in 49.3 overs.


While there were many small partnerships during Australia’s innings, the world champions paid for some poor shot selection and lacked that one big stand, which meant they finished 20-25 runs short on what looked to be a batting paradise. Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne and Josh Inglis all frittered away good starts.

[edit] India wins

Gaurav Gupta, March 10, 2025: The Times of India

These are the moments Indian cricket fans live for. Ravindra Jadeja, having found himself in the middle at the closing stages of an incredibly tricky stage of 252 on a slow pitch, pulled Will O’Rourke for a four to seal India’s triumph in the Champions Trophy and ensure their second consecutive ICC title win. He then smiled and blew a kiss towards the Indian dressing room, where a joyous Virat Kohli and assistant coach Abhishek Nayar were seen hugging each other.


As the celebratory spirit kicked in, Kohli and India captain Rohit Sharma — the two pillars of Indian cricket — indulged in a ‘dandiya’ celebration with the stumps before breaking into a little jig.


Jadeja, meanwhile, was warmly embracing his unbeaten partner at the other end, KL Rahul, who later conceded he had been incredibly tense all through his innings.


It wasn’t easy against a spirited New Zealand in a nervy final, but in the end, India were just too good, and deserving champions. The best team of the competition by a mile, India won all their five games without a fuss, ignoring the chatter around the “unfair advantage” they supposedly had due to playing all their games at one venue. After clinching the T20 World Cup in West Indies last June, this is India’s second white-ball event in two years under Rohit’s captaincy. They seem to have finally broken their jinx of losing at the knockout stages of ICC events.


The triumph offers Rohit the perfect opportunity to take a big decision on his glorious career. For now, though, the captain, the rest of the Indian team and their millions of fans can soak in the taste of victory and ease the pain of defeats in the finals of the 2017 Champions Trophy to Pakistan and the 2019 World Cup to Australia.


Ironically, it was Rohit who led India’s charge towards the win, stroking a sublime 76 (83b; 7x4, 3x6), with middle-order batters Shreyas Iyer (48; 62b, 2x4, 2x6), Rahul, Axar Patel and Hardik Pandya all playing crucial roles to take the Men in Blue home in 49 overs for a four-wicket win. New Zealand badly missed pacer Matt Henry, the highest wickettaker in the tournament.


Rohit gave India the perfect stand on the slow track, dominating the Kiwi attack with his delightful shots in a 105-run opening stand off 112 balls with Shubman Gill. However, India then suffered a collapse, losing three wickets for 17 runs in 51 balls as the Kiwis fought back. A sensational catch by Glenn Phillips — who has made it a habit of grabbing blinders at short extra cover — sent Gill back. Virat Kohli didn’t last long, trapped LBW for one while trying to play across to a Mi- chael Bracewell delivery.


Having shown the patience to score his first half-century of the competition, Rohit was guilty of throwing his wicket away when he danced down the track to Rachin Ravindra, but was stumped by a mile. However, the consistent, unsung Iyer, who benefited from a dropped catch on 44 by Kyle Jamieson, put on 61 for the fifth wicket in 75 balls with Axar to keep India in the hunt. Iyer eventually perished caught at short fine leg by Ravindra off Santner, but with finishers like Rahul and Hardik Pandya in the ranks, India didn’t have anything to worry about. The duo contributed 38 in 36 balls for the sixth wicket to ease the team’s worries.


Earlier, capitalizing on the conditions superbly yet again, India’s spinners turned up the heat, but, riding on contrasting half-centuries by Daryl Mitchell (63; 101b, 3x4) and Michael Bracewell (53 not out; 40b, 3x4, 2x6), New Zealand fought their way back from a turbulent phase to score 251/7 after opting to bat first.


All four of India’s spinners were outstanding when New Zealand batted, conceding just 144 runs off their 38 overs while taking five wickets on an increasingly slowing pitch.

[edit] Details

March 10, 2025: The Times of India

➤ Chasing 252 to win, Player of the Match Rohit Sharma (76) put on a 105-run partnership with Shubman Gill (31) in 18.4 overs. NZ bounced back with three quick wickets to leave India at 122/3. But Shreyas Iyer (48) and Axar Patel (29) steadied the ship before K L Rahul (34 not out) and Hardik Pandya (18) ensured India comfortably chased down the target with 1 over to spare


➤ Earlier, Daryl Mitchell (63) and Michael Bracewell (53) steered the Kiwis to 251/7. The Indian spinning quartet led by Kuldeep Yadav (2/40) and Varun Chakravarthy (2/45) applied the squeeze for a large part of their innings, conceding only 144 runs in the 38 overs bowled between them. India could have restricted New Zealand to a lower total had it not been for four spilt catches


➤ India have won 22 of 23 completed matches across the last 3 ICC white ball events — ODI World Cup ’23, T20 WC ’24 and CT ’25 — winning two and finishing runners-up in one

[edit] Vignettes

[edit] As on the eve of the finals

March 7, 2025: The Times of India

The ODI Champions Trophy 2025 is ready for a rousing final between India and New Zealand on Sunday. Barring a few games, the tournament has been devoid of thrillers. Rain played a decisive part in several games. Yet no edition has generated so many talking points. Here’s the best and worst of what happened over the past fortnight

KIWIS CAN FLY 


The most indelible moment, rather two moments, of Champions Trophy 2025 is the sight of Glenn Phillips, twisted and airborne, snaring Mohd Rizwan and Virat Kohli, at backward point. 
The two catches have been described, among other things, as “otherwordly” and “insane,” adjectives that come close to capturing the outrageousness of the endeavour. Cameras captured the expression of Kohli after getting caught. It is a look of sheer disbelief. Here’s what happened on the two occasions. Pakistan captain Rizwan square-drove Kiwi pacer Will O’Rourke with ferocity. The ball was travelling at a hurtling pace in the air. 
Most fielders would have failed to touch the ball. But Phillips grabbed the white cherry with his left hand even as it was flying past him. Stuck like a magnet, the ball stayed there even when he hit the ground. The catch became an early contender for the Catch of the Year prize. As if to prove the grab was no fluke, Phillips repeated the act a week later; Kohli at the receiving end of his birdman avatar this time. Kohli also struck the ball with some power. But Phllips took another sensational catch, this time using his right hand.


Sometimes lightning strikes twice. Remember, the tournament isn’t yet over. 


Deep Dive Stat


Mitchell Santner’s accuracy & control has been exceptional. His wicket to wicket line has kept the stumps in play with 58% of his deliveries projected to hit the stumps, the highest for any spinner in a match in this tournament. 
(Source: CricVizAnalyst on X) 


Retirement From ODIs


All-time great Steve Smith, who captained Australia in the Champions Trophy, has announced his retirement from ODIs. Former Bangladesh captain and keeper Mushfiqur Rahim has also retired from ODIs. 


Controversies


Several former cricketers such as Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain said that India enjoyed a logistical advantage with all their games being hosted at one venue. Another former international Jonathan Agnew insisted it’s unfair that Pakistan, hosting its first international tournament after many years, is playing the biggest match of Champions Trophy away from home? However, coach Gautam Gambhir later said that Team India doesn’t have undue advantage? “We practice at ICC Academy, where conditions are different from the stadium. Some people are perpetual cribbers; they need to grow up,” he said. This wasn’t the only controversy. Many British MPs wrote to the ECB to consider boycotting the England-Afghanistan game owing to Taliban’s anti-women sports policies.

[edit] ALL-TIME RECORDS IN CT 2025

67
Number of balls taken by David Miller of South Africa to reach 100 against New Zealand in Lahore. This is the fastest hundred in the history of Champions Trophy.

126
Number of sixes hit in this Champions Trophy in 12 games, making it 10 maximums per game. It’s the highest in all editions. In the first edition of the championship in 2000, the average per game six was: 5.

362
New Zealand piled up this mountainous total against South Africa in the semi-final this year in Lahore. It is the highest-ever first innings total in the prestigious championship.

707
Combined runs made by England and Australia in the Lahore group game which the latter won. This is the highest runs ever scored in Champions Trophy.

[edit] Details

INDIA STORY

Top Run Average: KL Rahul - 106

Top Run Scorer: Virat Kohli - 217

Top Strike Rate: Hardik Pandya - 108

Highest Fours: Shubman Gill - 17

Highest Sixes: Hardik Pandya - 5

Century Hitters

Gill scored *101 not out against Bangladesh.

Kohli remained unbeaten on *100 against Pakistan.

Best Bowling Average

Varun Chakravarthy: 13

Inscrutable: Nobody has handled the mystery spinner, who has taken 7 wickets at an economy rate of 4.5, with any assurance.

[edit] RECORDS, STATISTICS

[edit] General Highlights

[edit] 1998- 2017

February 18, 2025: The Times of India

Champions Trophy 2025 All Team Squads: Full Players List and Updates

NEW DELHI: The ICC Champions Trophy is set to begin in Pakistan on February 19, marking its return after an eight-year gap. The marquee tournament will feature the top eight men’s ODI teams competing for the prestigious title. The teams are divided into two groups, with the top two from each group advancing to the semifinals.

Group A includes hosts Pakistan, India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh, setting the stage for intense subcontinental clashes. Meanwhile, Group B features Australia, England, South Africa, and Afghanistan.

India will kick off their ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025 campaign against Bangladesh on February 20, followed by a high-stakes encounter against Pakistan on February 23. Their final Group A match will be against New Zealand on March 2. The 15-match tournament will be played over 19 days across Pakistan and the UAE. Under the hybrid model, India will play all their matches in Dubai, including the semifinal and final, should they qualify.

Led by Rohit Sharma, India enter the competition with a strong squad, featuring eight players from their victorious T20 World Cup 2024 campaign.

However, the team has suffered a setback with pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah ruled out due to injury. Young pacer Harshit Rana has been named as his replacement, while Varun Chakaravarthy comes in for Yashasvi Jaiswal.

INDIA SQUAD: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohd. Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakaravarthy.

— BCCI (@BCCI)

Defending champions Pakistan, led by wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan, will look to defend their 2017 title. The squad includes key players from their previous Champions Trophy-winning campaign, such as Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, and Faheem Ashraf. However, they will be without opener Saim Ayub, who has been ruled out due to injury.

PAKISTAN SQUAD: Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi.

— TheRealPCBMedia (@TheRealPCBMedia)

ODI world champions Australia will enter the tournament with a depleted squad, as several senior players have withdrawn. Captain Pat Cummins, along with key pacers Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, have pulled out, leading to Steve Smith taking over the captaincy.

Additionally, the Aussies will be without all-rounder Mitchell Marsh. In their absence, newcomers Ben Dwarshuis, Spencer Johnson, and Tanveer Sangha have been called up to bolster the squad.

— CricketAus (@CricketAus)

AUSTRALIA SQUAD: Steve Smith (c), Sean Abbott, Alex Carey, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa.

TRAVELLING RESERVE: Cooper Connolly.

New Zealand’s squad saw late changes with pacers Ben Sears and Lockie Ferguson ruled out with injuries. Sears was first forced out due to a hamstring injury, with Jacob Duffy named as his replacement. On the eve of the tournament opener, Ferguson joined the sidelines with a right foot injury. Kyle Jamieson came in as the replacement.

Mitchell Santner, captaining the Kiwis in his first ICC tournament, will lead a squad that blends youth and experience.

With veteran pacers Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Ferguson unavailable, the onus will be on Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson and young quick Nathan Smith to step up.

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS)

NEW ZEALAND SQUAD: Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Jacob Duffy, Nathan Smith, Kane Williamson, Will Young.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh, under the leadership of Najmul Hossain Shanto, will look to improve on their semi-final finish from 2017.

Veteran campaigners Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim bring experience and stability, while promising youngsters Nahid Rana and Rishad Hossain add dynamism to the squad.

BANGLADESH SQUAD: Nazmul Hossain Shanto (c), Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan, Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, MD Mahmud Ullah, Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Parvez Hossai Emon, Nasum Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Nahid Rana.

— BCBtigers (@BCBtigers)

Afghanistan made a late change to their squad, with young spinner Nangyal Kharoti replacing the injured Allah Ghazanfar.

The team retains experienced stars Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi, while Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran bolster the top order.

— ACBofficials (@ACBofficials)

AFGHANISTAN SQUAD: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Ikram Alikhil, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharoti, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Farid Malik, Naveed Zadran. Reserves: Darwish Rasooli, Bilal Sami

England’s squad features the return of Joe Root, while Tom Banton comes in as a replacement for the injured Jacob Bethell.

Led by Jos Buttler, their pace attack will be spearheaded by Jofra Archer and Mark Wood, with Gus Atkinson and Jamie Overton providing support.

The ECB statement read, "Scans on a left groin injury have confirmed that England Men's batter Ben Duckett is fit and available for the ICC Champions Trophy. Duckett sustained the injury while fielding during the first innings of England's third ODI defeat to India in Ahmedabad last Wednesday."

— ICC (@ICC)

ENGLAND SQUAD: Jos Buttler (c), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Jamie Smith, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Saqib Mahmood, Phil Salt, Mark Wood

South Africa suffered a setback with Anrich Nortje ruled out due to injury, prompting the inclusion of Corbin Bosch.

Kagiso Rabada spearheads the Proteas' pace attack, while Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen, and Heinrich Klaasen form the backbone of their batting lineup.

— ProteasMenCSA (@ProteasMenCSA)

SOUTH AFRICA SQUAD: Temba Bavuma (c), Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen, Corbin Bosch.

TRAVELLING RESERVE: Kwena Maphaka

[edit] Batting

[edit] Batsmen with 100 runs or more in a CT competition

See graphic.

Batsmen with 100 runs or more in a CT competition
From The Times of India

[edit] Opening partnerships

Best in terms of averages

See graphic.

Opening partnerships best in terms of averages , as on 4 June 2017
From [ The Times of India ]

[edit] Spinners and fast bowlers

Spinners vis-à-vis fast bowlers in CT 2017, till 11 June 2017.
From The Times of India

[edit] The winners

[edit] 1998- 2017

[edit] Bowling

[edit] Inning’s best bowling figures

See graphic.

Inning’s best bowling figures in Champion’s Trophy, as on 2 June 2017
From The Times of India

[edit] India vs. Pakistan

Matches lost and won, 1998-2013

See graphic.

India vs. Pakistan in the Champions Trophy, 1998-2013
From The Times of India

[edit] Trivia

[edit] Rain affected matches in CT 2013, 2017

Rain affected matches in CT 2013, 2017
From The Times of India