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The ICC Champions Trophy, often dubbed the “Mini World Cup,” has been a stage for cricketing brilliance, dramatic finishes, and unforgettable heroics since its inception in 1998. As we prepare for its revival in 2025, let’s revisit some of the most iconic moments from the history that have defined this prestigious tournament over the years.

1. South Africa’s Maiden Triumph (1998)

The inaugural edition of the ICC Champions Trophy, called the ICC Knockout Trophy, saw South Africa claim their first and only ICC multi-team ODI title. Led by Hansie Cronje, the Proteas dominated the tournament, defeating the West Indies in a tense final. Jacques Kallis emerged as the star, scoring 164 runs and taking eight wickets, including a five-wicket haul in the final. His all-round brilliance earned him the Player of the Tournament award. The tournament also witnessed Sachin Tendulkar, one of the top Indian cricket players, scoring 141 against Australia, a knock that remains the highest individual score in the event’s history.

In Kenya, New Zealand secured their first ICC Champions Trophy title win in a nail-biting final against India. Chasing 265, the Kiwis were struggling at 132/5 until Chris Cairns scored a heroic unbeaten 102* to lead them to victory. His innings overshadowed Sourav Ganguly’s 117 for India, marking one of the greatest comebacks in the tournament’s history. This edition also introduced future legends like Yuvraj Singh, who announced his arrival by smashing Brett Lee for fearless sixes in a group-stage match.

3. The Rain-Marred Joint Victory (2002)

The 2002 edition of The ICC Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka ended in a rarely shared trophy after rain washed out the final twice. India and Sri Lanka were declared joint winners, but the tournament is remembered for Virender Sehwag’s explosive batting (271 runs at 90.33) and Muttiah Muralitharan’s wizardry (10 wickets). The semifinal between India and South Africa was equally dramatic, with Sehwag’s part-time off-spin dismantling the Proteas’ middle order.

4. West Indies’ Last-Wicket Miracle (2004)

In one of the most thrilling finals, the West Indies stunned England at The Oval. While chasing 218, the Caribbean side collapsed to 147/8 before Courtney Browne and Ian Bradshaw, resulting in an unbeaten 71-run partnership. Bradshaw hit the winning runs with seven balls to spare, securing a two-wicket victory. This match showcased the never-say-die spirit of West Indies cricket.

5. Australia’s Dominance (2006 & 2009)

Australia established their legacy in cricket history by winning back-to-back titles in 2006 and 2009. In 2006, Shane Watson’s all-round abilities guided them to an eight-wicket win over the West Indies in a rain-shortened final. The 2009 edition of the ICC Champions Trophy saw Ricky Ponting’s men crush New Zealand in the final, with Watson again starring with an unbeaten 105*. Ponting himself topped the run charts, amassing 288 runs to earn Player of the Tournament.

6. India’s Rain-Soaked Triumph (2013)

MS Dhoni, one of the best cricket captains in the world, also became the first captain to win all three ICC limited-overs trophies when India defeated England in a rain-affected 20-over final. To score 129, England needed 20 off 15 balls with six wickets in hand, but Ishant Sharma’s double strike in the 18th over turned the match. Ravindra Jadeja’s economical bowling and Shikhar Dhawan’s 363 runs (the most in the tournament) were pivotal in India’s unbeaten campaign.

7. Pakistan’s Redemption Arc (2017)

Pakistan, labeled underdogs after a crushing loss to India in the group stage, staged a remarkable turnaround to emerge as the winner of the ICC Champions Trophy. In the final, Fakhar Zaman’s 114 and Mohammad Amir’s fiery spell (3/16) propelled them to a 180-run victory over arch-rivals India. With 13 wickets, Hasan Ali was the tournament’s standout bowler, symbolizing Pakistan’s resurgence.

8. The Birth of New Stars

The ICC Champions Trophy has been a launchpad for future legends. Yuvraj Singh’s fearless debut in 2000, Virat Kohli’s emergence in 2013, and Fakhar Zaman’s breakout century in 2017 highlight how the tournament has shaped careers.

9. India Crushes Pakistan (2025)

After a seven-year break, the ICC Champions Trophy finally returned in 2025 and is hosted by Pakistan and the UAE. In a thrilling match in Dubai, India quickly chased down Pakistan’s total of 241, winning by six wickets with 7.3 overs to spare. Virat Kohli’s stunning 51st ODI century (100*), supported by Shreyas Iyer (56) and Shubman Gill (46), led India to victory. Kuldeep Yadav’s brilliant 3/40 with the ball helped seal the win. 

This victory puts India on the brink of securing a semi-final spot for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, while Pakistan faces potential elimination. India remains undefeated against Pakistan in ODIs since the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy final, with a 6-0 record. Now, we must wait a little more to see if India’s squad will bring the ICC Champions trophy home.

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From last-wicket heroics to rain-ruptured finals, the ICC Champions Trophy has delivered moments etched in cricketing history. As the tournament evolves, these memories remind us why it remains a cherished fixture in the sport’s calendar. Whether you’re a fan of underdog triumphs or dominant dynasties, the ICC Champions Trophy has something for everyone.

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