The ICC Champions Trophy has been witnessed for rip-roaring matches, thrilling moments and unexpected knocks since its inception in 1998. The tournament is known as the ‘Mini World Cup’ as each team faces each other in a 50-overs format.
However, the tournament offers more challenges to the teams than the ICC World Cup. It gives the teams enough chances to claw back after a few defeats, but the Champions Trophy carries the risk of elimination after losing just a single match in the entire campaign.
The Champions Trophy saw 10 or 12 teams confronting each other in the previous editions. But Since the 2009 edition, it was decided that only the top 8 counties in ICC ODI rankings will take part in it. The cut-off for rankings was six months before the start of the trophy. The tournament fell into an uncertain bubble after the 2017 edition with the idea of keeping only one global tournament for each of three formats. However, in the year 2021, ICC announced the comeback of the Champions Trophy to be held in 2025 and 2029.
Read More :
» Most runs in Champions trophy history : Gayle leads the chart
» FIFA The Best : Who Has the Most Awards?
In this article, we will be listing out winners of each edition of the Champions Trophy held so far.
South Africa-1998
The inaugural edition of the tournament has seen South Africa lifting the trophy after defeating West Indies by 4 wickets. The tournament was held in Bangladesh with a total of 9 teams and the Proteas, led by Hansie Cronje, conquered the world. West Indies amassed a total of 245 runs with the help of a century from Philo Wallace and the little cameo of 49 runs from Carl Hooper. South Africa reached the destination in 47 overs and 4 wickets in hand.
New Zealand- 2000
New Zealand was the Champion of the 2000 edition beating India in Nairobi, Kenya. The Kiwis have ruled the roost over India and won the match with 4 wickets and 2 balls in hand. India scored 264 with the help of Captain Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar. Ganguly stunned 117 runs with the bat, and Sachin got 69 runs. In the chase, New Zealand reached with the sound batting from Chris Cairns, who scored 102 off 113 balls. Nathan Astle, Roger Twose and Chris Harris helped New Zealand lift the trophy.
India and Sri Lanka-2002
The third edition held in Sri Lanka consisted of 12 teams with the final being played between India and the hosts Sri Lanka. However, the edition has not seen results as the rain disrupted the Indian innings even after reserve day. Sri Lanka amassed 222/7 runs with the help of the fifties from Mahela Jayawardene and Russel Arnold. In the chase, India played just 8.4 overs, scoring 38 for 1 before the rain disturbance.
West Indies-2004
West Indies listed their name as the 2004 champion after defeating the hosts England. The edition consisted of 12 teams and the final was being played between England and West Indies. England were asked to bat first and amassed just 217 runs with the help of Marcus Trescothik’s century. Captain Micheal Vaughan, Andrew Strauss and others miserably failed to propel the total. In the replay, West Indies chased with 7 balls and 2 wickets in hand. Ian Bradshaw was an outstanding character with the bat and ball and was named Man of the Final.
Australia-2006
After Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, the Champions trophy was back in Asia. The 2006 edition was the first to be held in India when Australia ruled the roost over the West Indies and conquered the World. West Indies batted first and bowled out for just 138 runs in 30.4 overs. Due to rain, Australia’s target was revised to 116 runs in 35 overs. Shane Watson and Damien Martyn helped the Aussie to lift the trophy, winning by 8 wickets in hand.
Australia-2009
The World witnessed Australia as a champion again. The 2009 edition was held in South Africa with the following ICC’s new rules of the top 8 ranked teams, which took part in the tournament. In the final, New Zealand managed just 200/9 in 50 overs. Australia, led by Shane Watson’s brilliant 105 off 129 balls comfortably chased the total with 6 wickets in hand and won their second title in a row.
India-2013
The Champions trophy was back after 4 years for the first time. Previously, the tournament was held after just 2 years but this time it changed the time frame. The 2013 edition was held in England and the final was played between India and England. After Rain disrupted the final, the match was reduced to 20 overs per side. India posted 129/7, with key contributions from Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja. England struggled in the chase, losing wickets regularly, Eoin Morgan and Ravi Bopara tried to rescue England from the early collapse but failed to chase the total. Ravindra Jadeja, Ashwin and Ishant Sharma helped India with the ball, taking 2 wickets each and securing a thrilling 5-run victory to lift the trophy.
Pakistan-2017
The 2017 edition was one of the greatest Champions Trophy Cricket has ever seen when the two Arch-rivals India and Pakistan both faced each other in the grand final. Pakistan were asked to bat first, and they amassed a mammoth total of 338/4 with the help of Fakhar Zaman’s fiery century. In the chase, India’s top order was dismantled by Mohammad Amir’s quick-fire spell. Hardik Pandya was the only fighter who tried to rescue India from the early collapse but the Indian innings ended in just 158 runs, Pakistan lifted the trophy for the time ever in the Champions Trophy.
India-2025
India comes with another ICC trophy after conquering the T20 World Cup in 2024. The Champions Trophy 2025 was another successful chapter under Rohti’s tenure. Pakistan hosted the tournament but India refused to play in there due to political conflicts. At that time, ICC proposed a hybrid model where India played their all matches only in Dubai and other teams had to play in both Pakistan and the UAE.
However, the final was played between India and New Zealand. Captain Rohit Sharma led from the front as India won the final by four wickets against New Zealand. The Kiwis won the toss and elected to bat first but India’s spinners plagued them to propel the score. New Zealand posted just 251/7 with the help of fifties from Daryl Mitchell and Micheal Bracewell. India’s spinning side continuously kept a lid on New Zealand’s score.
In the chase, 105 runs opening partnership from Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill made the base for victory. Rohit’s fiery 76, Shreyas Iyer controls the middle with 48 and later KL Rahul has done the job with 34 runs confirming India’s third Champions Trophy title.
crifosports/12March25/TH/SA
