List of Golden Ball winners in Champions Trophy

There is a saying, ‘Batsmen win you games, bowlers win you tournaments’. This was absolutely proved true by Pakistan in this edition of Champions Trophy as they picked most wickets in the tournament which featured top 8 teams. Hasan Ali took most wickets but he was well supported by Junaid, Amir, Imad and Shadab.

The final was played between the two best bowling attacks of the tournament. In modern ODI cricket, bowlers more often than not being given a hiding given the nature of pitches heavily favouring batting. Still, bowlers find their ways to become successful and pip the opposition batsmen. In the event like Champions trophy, teams need champion bowlers.

This gives us an opportunity to have a look at the golden ball winners in all the editions of Champions Trophy:

#1 Jacques Kallis – 8 wickets (1998 Knockout Trophy)

First edition of Champions Trophy which was termed as ICC Knockout Trophy was won by South Africa. Jacques Kallis, one of the best all-rounders in world cricket turned out to be the best bowler. The tournament was played in a different way and every match was a knockout.

Kallis picked 3 wickets in the first quarter-final against England which restricted them to 281. He had a bad day with the ball in the semi-final against island nation Sri Lanka but came back strongly against West Indies in the final and picked a five-wicket haul which helped Proteas bowl them out for 245. Kallis was eventually the highest wicket taker and was also awarded player of the series for his all-round performance.

#2 Venkatesh Prasad – 8 wickets (2000 Knockout Trophy)

Venkatesh Prasad was the highlight for India in their run to the final. He picked 8 wickets in 4 games for India. Unfortunately, India were defeated by Kiwis in the final by 4 wickets. Prasad scalped 3 wickets against Kenya in the pre-quarter final which restricted them to 208. He was also instrumental in the win against Australia and picked 2 wickets which included in form Ian Harvey.

He bowled his best in the final of the tournament picking 3/27 while defending 264. Unfortunately, New Zealand got the better of him and won the title but Prasad’s performance with the ball was hailed by many.

#3 Muttiah Muralitharan – 10 wickets (2002 Champions Trophy)

Sri Lanka were the hosts of this edition of Champions Trophy and expectedly, they were the favourites. They had the spin legend Muttiah Muralitharan. He didn’t disappoint either by picking 10 wickets in 3 matches he bowled. He couldn’t bowl in the final as rain played spoilsport and the trophy was shared by India and Sri Lanka.

Murali was in great form in this tournament and he first torched Pakistan with a spell of 3/29 which meant they were bowled out for mere 200. Then it was the turn of New Zealand to face the heat and they literally capitulated under pressure as he picked 4/15 in 5.3 overs. Murali wasn’t done yet and scalped 3 more wickets against Aussies in the semifinal and they were bowled out for a paltry 162. Murali was undoubtedly the leading wicket taker of the event and also the most economical bowler.

#4 Andrew Flintoff – 9 wickets (2004 Champions Trophy)

The fourth edition of this event was held in England. The hosts played some superb cricket throughout the tournament which helped them surge to final in search of an elusive 50-over global title. Flintoff was more than instrumental in England’s run to the final.

Flintoff brushed aside Zimbabwe with a dreadful spell of 3/11 in 6 overs. His all round abilities came to the fore against Sri Lanka as he scored a century with the bat and also picked wickets of dangerous Jayasuriya and Jayantha. In the final, England could only post 217 but it was the all-rounder who made a fist of this total.

He scalped crucial wickets of Sarwan, Lara and Dwayne Bravo. West Indies lower order took their team home but Flintoff won millions of hearts with his performance.

#5 Jerome Taylor – 13 wickets (2006 Champions Trophy)

India hosted this coveted event which was now being called as ‘Mini World Cup’. Australia won the title for the first time but West Indies players were praised for their lion-hearted performances. Jerome Taylor emerged as the highest wicket-taker.

The pacer picked wickets consistently in every game and made key breakthroughs. He was the key to their win over Australia while defending 234. He picked up a hat-trick in the dying stages of the game. He dismissed Mike Hussey, Hogg and Lee to finish all the hopes of Kangaroos.

Taylor played a crucial role in West Indies beating the hosts India by picking 2 wickets, one of which was of Sehwag. Taylor was deservedly awarded as the bowler of the tournament.

#6 Wayne Parnell – 11 wickets (2009 Champions Trophy)

The sixth edition of ICC Champions Trophy was held in South Africa. Unbeatable Aussies bossed this edition and defended the title they won in 2006. Hosts couldn’t even qualify into the knockouts. But Parnell was their only shining light in an otherwise grim tournament for them.

Parnell picked 3 wickets apiece against Sri Lanka and England but failed to win the match for his side. But he made a lasting impact against Kiwis and picked a five-wicket haul which bowled them out for a paltry 214. This was a match-winning performance from the left-handed bowler. He was expensive in all the three games but his wickets kept his team in the game all the time.

#7 Ravindra Jadeja – 12 wickets (2013 Champions Trophy)

The 2013 Champions Trophy will always be remembered for the resurgence of Ravindra Jadeja as an all-rounder. He did nothing wrong in this tournament. He batted well when needed, bowled exceptionally well and his fielding was excellent. India won the tournament without even a single defeat. They defeated hosts England in the final by just 5 runs.

It all started against the Proteas when Jadeja affected the run out of Robin Peterson and picked a crucial wicket of Duminy. He spun a web in front of West Indies to pick a 5 wicket haul and continued his impactful performances throughout. In the final, he came to bowl at a critical stage and won the game for India. He won the golden ball for his brilliant all round abilities but he did shine with the ball big time and never conceded runs over 4 in any game.

#8 Hasan Ali – 13 wickets (2017 Champions Trophy)

Similar to India in 2013, this edition changed the face of Pakistan cricket. Their bowlers lived up to the expectations and gunned down strong batting line-ups of South Africa, England, Sri Lanka and India too in finals. All the bowlers were excellent for them including their spinners.

One bowler who made the difference in every game was Hasan Ali. He brought Pakistan back into the tournament with some impeccable lines and unplayable deliveries. The delivery which castled Parnell was literally the best ball of the tournament. He picked 3 wickets in every match barring the first match against India. In finals, he finished India’s hopes by bouncing Dhoni out superbly. Hasan Ali was undoubtedly the best bowler of the tournament and he was awarded the golden ball award.