The 7 Most Unforgettable Champions Trophy Matches in Cricket History
Shreya | Mar 07, 2025, 21:38 IST
The ICC Champions Trophy has been the stage for some of the most intense and iconic cricketing moments. From underdog victories to historic rivalries, this article highlights the top 7 most memorable matches in the tournament's history. These matches showcase thrilling performances, unforgettable upsets, and moments that have left a lasting mark on cricket fans worldwide.
With the Champions Trophy 2025 final set to take place this Sunday, cricket fans around the world are eagerly anticipating a thrilling encounter between India and New Zealand. Both teams have shown incredible form throughout the tournament, and the final promises to be a high-stakes, action-packed spectacle. As we await this exciting match, it’s a great time to look back at some of the most memorable matches in Champions Trophy history. From fierce rivalries to underdog triumphs, here’s a rundown of 7 of the most unforgettable Champions Trophy matches that have shaped the legacy of this prestigious tournament.
2000: Australia vs India
The 1999 World Cup champions faced off against a team that was not considered a favorite going into the competition. However, Yuvraj Singh, 19, appeared to have the upper hand as India took the field in Nairobi. In just his second ODI, the southpaw dominated Australia with an 80-ball 84. He also executed a brilliant run-out to dismiss Michael Bevan (42), ending a 73-run partnership with Ricky Ponting (46). The youthful energy and aggression that Ganguly, the captain, brought to his team resulted in outstanding fielding, which was uncommon for Indian teams at the time.
A youthful Zaheer Khan also blew Australia away by dismissing Steve Waugh and Adam Gilchrist at pivotal times. The match ended up being one of the best of the tournament, with India winning by 20 runs.
With an exciting victory over South Africa in Colombo, star batsman Virender Sehwag changed the course of the match with his off-spin, securing India's spot in the 2002 edition final. At R Premadasa Stadium, Sehwag had already delivered a brilliant half-century as India amassed a respectable 261/9, but the Proteas seemed in control of the run chase, taking the score to 200 with nine overs remaining and seven wickets still in hand.
Enter Sehwag, who secured an exciting victory for India and guaranteed their spot in the final against Sri Lanka by taking the crucial wickets of Mark Boucher, Jacques Kallis, and Lance Klusener.
2004: West Indies vs England
Against England in the 2004 title decider at The Oval in London, things appeared hopeless for the West Indies after key batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul was removed, leaving the Caribbean team needing 81 runs to win with two wickets remaining. However, a spectacular run chase was made possible by an amazing partnership between Ian Bradshaw and Courtney Browne, who shared the ninth wicket.
With seven deliveries left, the Caribbean team won their first title as the West Indies successfully chased down England's respectable total of 217 thanks to an undefeated 71 from Browne and Bradshaw.
2009: South Africa vs England
With an impressive victory over the host country, South Africa, England secured their spot in the knockout stages in this high-scoring match at Centurion in 2009.
Owais Shah was the hero at bat, hitting six sixes in a 98-run innings. The Proteas were painfully short in reply, with pacers James Anderson and Stuart Broad taking three wickets each. With an incredible 141, Graeme Smith played a single hand for South Africa, but it was insufficient as England advanced to the semi-finals with plenty of momentum.
2013: New Zealand vs Sri Lanka
Low-scoring matches frequently result in thrilling endings, and New Zealand's incredible one-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in Cardiff in 2013 was no exception. Few people thought Sri Lanka's modest 138-run total would be competitive, but pacer Lasith Malinga had other ideas. He tore through the Black Caps' middle order to cut New Zealand's reply down to 122/8.
After Sri Lanka threatened to cause a massive upset, Tim Southee and Mitchell McClenaghan were left to lead the Kiwis over the finish line.
With Edgbaston experiencing so much rain that the game had to be cut short to 20 overs, the 2013 final almost didn't happen. After Virat Kohli set the foundation with 43 and Ravi Bopara's medium pace yielded 3 for 20, Ravindra Jadeja was able to lead India to 129 for 7. With a strong 64-run partnership between Bopara and Eoin Morgan, England recovered from 46 for 4 and appeared headed for their first global 50-over championship.
Ishant Sharma, however, proved to be an unexpected hero for India, starting the 18th over with a six and two wides before dismissing Bopara and Morgan off consecutive deliveries. India won by five runs after MS Dhoni's utterly unexpected bowling change, brightening a gloomy and chilly Birmingham day.
2017: Pakistan vs India
It was a memorable day at The Oval in London as Pakistan clinched their first Champions Trophy title with an emphatic victory over arch-rival India. Opener Fakhar Zaman set the ball rolling with a superb century as Pakistan put 338/4 on the board and an inspired bowling performance from Mohammad Amir ensured that score was more than enough.
Amir tore through the heart of India's top-order by dismissing Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in quick succession and India could never recover as they were bundled out for just 158 in reply.
The Champions Trophy has given cricket fans some of the most exhilarating moments in the sport’s history. From emotional highs to massive upsets, these matches have showcased the drama, intensity, and unpredictability that make cricket so exciting. Whether it was MS Dhoni’s leadership, the unexpected brilliance of Pakistan in 2017, or the heart-pounding finishes, the Champions Trophy has always been a tournament where cricket’s finest moments unfold.
As we look ahead to the 2025 Champions Trophy final, we can only hope for another unforgettable contest to add to the rich legacy of the tournament.
2000: Australia vs India
Aus vs Ind.
The 1999 World Cup champions faced off against a team that was not considered a favorite going into the competition. However, Yuvraj Singh, 19, appeared to have the upper hand as India took the field in Nairobi. In just his second ODI, the southpaw dominated Australia with an 80-ball 84. He also executed a brilliant run-out to dismiss Michael Bevan (42), ending a 73-run partnership with Ricky Ponting (46). The youthful energy and aggression that Ganguly, the captain, brought to his team resulted in outstanding fielding, which was uncommon for Indian teams at the time.
A youthful Zaheer Khan also blew Australia away by dismissing Steve Waugh and Adam Gilchrist at pivotal times. The match ended up being one of the best of the tournament, with India winning by 20 runs.
2002: India vs South Africa
Ind vs SA.
With an exciting victory over South Africa in Colombo, star batsman Virender Sehwag changed the course of the match with his off-spin, securing India's spot in the 2002 edition final. At R Premadasa Stadium, Sehwag had already delivered a brilliant half-century as India amassed a respectable 261/9, but the Proteas seemed in control of the run chase, taking the score to 200 with nine overs remaining and seven wickets still in hand.
Enter Sehwag, who secured an exciting victory for India and guaranteed their spot in the final against Sri Lanka by taking the crucial wickets of Mark Boucher, Jacques Kallis, and Lance Klusener.
2004: West Indies vs England
WI vs Eng.
Against England in the 2004 title decider at The Oval in London, things appeared hopeless for the West Indies after key batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul was removed, leaving the Caribbean team needing 81 runs to win with two wickets remaining. However, a spectacular run chase was made possible by an amazing partnership between Ian Bradshaw and Courtney Browne, who shared the ninth wicket.
With seven deliveries left, the Caribbean team won their first title as the West Indies successfully chased down England's respectable total of 217 thanks to an undefeated 71 from Browne and Bradshaw.
2009: South Africa vs England
SA vs Eng.
With an impressive victory over the host country, South Africa, England secured their spot in the knockout stages in this high-scoring match at Centurion in 2009.
Owais Shah was the hero at bat, hitting six sixes in a 98-run innings. The Proteas were painfully short in reply, with pacers James Anderson and Stuart Broad taking three wickets each. With an incredible 141, Graeme Smith played a single hand for South Africa, but it was insufficient as England advanced to the semi-finals with plenty of momentum.
2013: New Zealand vs Sri Lanka
NZ vs SL.
Low-scoring matches frequently result in thrilling endings, and New Zealand's incredible one-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in Cardiff in 2013 was no exception. Few people thought Sri Lanka's modest 138-run total would be competitive, but pacer Lasith Malinga had other ideas. He tore through the Black Caps' middle order to cut New Zealand's reply down to 122/8.
After Sri Lanka threatened to cause a massive upset, Tim Southee and Mitchell McClenaghan were left to lead the Kiwis over the finish line.
2013: England vs India
Eng vs Ind
With Edgbaston experiencing so much rain that the game had to be cut short to 20 overs, the 2013 final almost didn't happen. After Virat Kohli set the foundation with 43 and Ravi Bopara's medium pace yielded 3 for 20, Ravindra Jadeja was able to lead India to 129 for 7. With a strong 64-run partnership between Bopara and Eoin Morgan, England recovered from 46 for 4 and appeared headed for their first global 50-over championship.
Ishant Sharma, however, proved to be an unexpected hero for India, starting the 18th over with a six and two wides before dismissing Bopara and Morgan off consecutive deliveries. India won by five runs after MS Dhoni's utterly unexpected bowling change, brightening a gloomy and chilly Birmingham day.
2017: Pakistan vs India
Pak vs Ind.
It was a memorable day at The Oval in London as Pakistan clinched their first Champions Trophy title with an emphatic victory over arch-rival India. Opener Fakhar Zaman set the ball rolling with a superb century as Pakistan put 338/4 on the board and an inspired bowling performance from Mohammad Amir ensured that score was more than enough.
Amir tore through the heart of India's top-order by dismissing Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in quick succession and India could never recover as they were bundled out for just 158 in reply.
Mitchell Santner and Rohit Sharma.
The Champions Trophy has given cricket fans some of the most exhilarating moments in the sport’s history. From emotional highs to massive upsets, these matches have showcased the drama, intensity, and unpredictability that make cricket so exciting. Whether it was MS Dhoni’s leadership, the unexpected brilliance of Pakistan in 2017, or the heart-pounding finishes, the Champions Trophy has always been a tournament where cricket’s finest moments unfold.
As we look ahead to the 2025 Champions Trophy final, we can only hope for another unforgettable contest to add to the rich legacy of the tournament.