ICC Champions Trophy
Overview
The ICC Champions Trophy is an international ODI cricket tournament featuring the top-ranked teams. Originally known as the ICC Knockout Trophy, it was rebranded as the Champions Trophy in 2002. The tournament has had an irregular history, being discontinued after 2017 and revived for 2025.
History
The tournament was conceived by ICC president Jagmohan Dalmiya as a mini World Cup to generate additional revenue between World Cup cycles. The first edition was held in Bangladesh in 1998 as the ICC Knockout Trophy. It was rebranded as the Champions Trophy for the 2002 edition. After the 2017 edition, there were plans to convert it to a World Test Championship or additional T20 World Cup, but it was eventually revived for 2025.
Format Changes
The format has varied across editions, from a straight knockout in 1998 to group stages with semi-finals. The number of teams has varied between 8 and 12. The 2025 revival features 8 teams in a format similar to the 2017 edition.
Controversies
- •2000: Rain-affected matches and controversial scheduling in Kenya
- •2002: India and Sri Lanka shared the title after the final was washed out twice
- •2004: Abandonment of the final again due to rain
- •2006: Australia won a controversial final against West Indies
- •2017: Pakistan's surprise victory over India in the final
- •2025: India refused to travel to Pakistan, leading to a hybrid hosting model
All Editions
| Year | Host | Winner | Runner-Up | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Bangladesh | South Africa | West Indies | Inaugural edition held as ICC Knockout Trophy; South Africa won under Hansie Cronje |
| 2000 | Kenya | New Zealand | India | Held as ICC Knockout Trophy; New Zealand won their first ICC event |
| 2002 | Sri Lanka | India & Sri Lanka (shared) | N/A | Final was washed out twice; trophy shared; first edition as Champions Trophy |
| 2004 | England | West Indies | England | West Indies won under Brian Lara's captaincy |
| 2006 | India | Australia | West Indies | Australia's dominant run in ICC events continued; final played in Mumbai |
| 2009 | South Africa | Australia | New Zealand | Australia won back-to-back Champions Trophy titles |
| 2013 | England | India | England | India held all three major ICC trophies simultaneously; Shikhar Dhawan was Player of the Tournament |
| 2017 | England | Pakistan | India | Pakistan shocked India in the final; Fakhar Zaman scored a century; final edition before eight-year hiatus |
| 2025 | Pakistan (hybrid model) | TBD | TBD | Tournament revived after eight years; India's matches at neutral venue due to refusal to travel to Pakistan |