As India Celebrates Victory, A Look At The History of the ICC Champions Trophy

The ICC Champions Trophy, often hailed as the "Mini World Cup," began in 1998 as the ICC KnockOut Tournament in Bangladesh, designed to fund cricket’s growth in emerging nations. South Africa triumphed in the inaugural knockout-style event, defeating West Indies. In 2000, New Zealand claimed the title in Kenya, maintaining the high-stakes format. By 2002, renamed the Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka, it shifted to a round-robin setup, with India and Sri Lanka sharing the trophy after rain washed out the final—a rare twist.

The tournament matured in 2004 in England, expanding to 12 teams, where West Indies edged England in a thriller. From 2006 in India, it settled into an eight-team format featuring the top ODI sides, with Australia dominating consecutive editions in 2006 and 2009 (South Africa). India’s resurgence came in 2013 in England, defeating the hosts, while Pakistan stunned India in 2017 at The Oval for their maiden title.

Initially biennial, it became quadrennial after 2009, complementing the ODI World Cup cycle. After a hiatus post-2017, the ICC revived it for 2025, hosted by Pakistan with India’s matches in the UAE due to geopolitical tensions. The ninth edition culminated on March 9, 2025, in Dubai, where India defeated New Zealand to reclaim the trophy, adding to their storied cricketing legacy. This victory, following semi-finals on March 4 and 6, showcased India’s dominance in a tournament known for its unpredictability and prestige. Over 27 years, the Champions Trophy has evolved from a developmental fundraiser to a coveted 50-over showcase, blending fierce competition with global appeal.

List of ICC Champions Trophy Winners (1998–2025)

• 1998: South Africa (defeated West Indies, Dhaka, Bangladesh)

• 2000: New Zealand (defeated India, Nairobi, Kenya)

• 2002: India and Sri Lanka (joint winners, rain-affected final, Colombo, Sri Lanka)

• 2004: West Indies (defeated England, London, England)

• 2006: Australia (defeated West Indies, Mumbai, India)

• 2009: Australia (defeated New Zealand, Centurion, South Africa)

• 2013: India (defeated England, Birmingham, England)

• 2017: Pakistan (defeated India, London, England)

• 2025: India (defeated New Zealand, Dubai, UAE)