ICC Champions Trophy : India's journey in the tournament history

ICC Champions Trophy was started by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 1998. Back then, it was called as ICC KnockOut Tournament. The first edition of ICC Champions Trophy was held in Bangladesh. There has been a total of 7 editions of the tournament and India has won it twice (once shared with Sri Lanka).

India was the host country in 2006. Over the span of two decades, we have witnessed many exceptional performances by India in this tournament. We also have seen many humiliating losses. Excitement, anger, joy, anguish, it had all. This is the only ICC tournament where Pakistan has an upper-hand over India. But India is holding the pole position in the list of Champions Trophy winners, alongside Australia.

From 1st of June later this year, the 8th edition of the elite tournament will be starting. 20 years since its inauguration. Let us dig up on nostalgia and revisit India’s journey at the CT so far.

#1 ICC KnockOut Tournament, 1998

The first ever Champions Trophy played in Bangladesh was called the ICC KnockOut Tournament. The 8 participating teams played the quarter-finals straight away and India faced the mighty Australians in the first encounter. Indian team was captained by Mohammad Azharuddin.

Quarter-final against Australia- The match was played at Bangabandhu National Stadium, Dhaka. Steve Waugh decided to bowl first. Indian team scored a mammoth 307. 25-year old Sachin Tendulkar batted brilliantly, scoring 141 runs in 128 balls. Coming out to bat, Australia were looking dangerous. Mark Waugh and Ricky Ponting set up a good partnership. But after their dismissal, no one could take the innings through, as the Aussies were all out for 263. Tendulkar again was the star with the ball, picking up 4 wickets.

Semi-final against West Indies- Azharuddin won the toss and decided to bat first. Sourav Ganguly played a brilliant knock of 83 from 116 balls as India managed to get only 242 runs. West Indies was steady with the bat as both Shivnarine Chanderpaul and captain Brain Lara struck half-centuries. Tendulkar again was impressive with the ball, but West Indies chased down the target with 3 overs to spare. Hence, India’s journey ended in the semis.