The ICC Champions Trophy, has been a battleground for the world’s top cricketing nations since its inception. With the upcoming edition set to begin on February 19, cricket fans worldwide are eagerly awaiting the tournament’s return. While Pakistan holds the official hosting rights, India’s matches will be played in Dubai, adding an interesting twist to the tournament dynamics.
For India, the Champions Trophy has been a stage of great victories, crushing defeats, and unforgettable performances. The team has seen moments of dominance, such as their title-winning run in 2013, and heartbreaks, like the 2017 final loss to Pakistan. As anticipation builds, let’s take a closer look at India’s performances in previous editions of the tournament.
- 1998 (Bangladesh)– A Promising Start Ends in Semi-Final Heartbreak
India entered the inaugural edition of the tournament, then known as the ICC KnockOut Trophy, with high expectations. Their campaign started in spectacular fashion as Sachin Tendulkar produced a masterclass, scoring 141 runs and taking 4 wickets to dismantle Australia in the quarter-finals. However, their journey came to an abrupt halt in the semi-finals, where they fell to West Indies by six wickets.
- 2000 (Kenya)– First Final Appearance, But No Trophy
India made a strong impression in this edition, marching to their first-ever final in the tournament’s history. Victories over Kenya and Australia set the stage for a thrilling final against New Zealand. Despite Sourav Ganguly’s brilliant 117, the Kiwis chased down India’s target of 265, leaving them as runners-up.
- 2002 (Sri Lanka)– Joint Winners After Rain-Soaked Finale
In one of the most unusual endings in cricket history, India shared the trophy with Sri Lanka after two consecutive rain-affected finals. Prior to that, they had delivered dominant performances, beating Zimbabwe and England in the group stage before taking down South Africa in the semi-finals. Virender Sehwag’s consistent batting and Zaheer Khan’s bowling were among the highlights.
- 2004 (England)– Early Exit in England
India’s campaign failed to gather momentum as they struggled in the group stage. A loss to Pakistan in the opening match put them under pressure, and although they bounced back with a win over Kenya, their net run rate wasn’t enough to secure a semi-final spot.
- 2006 (India)– A Disastrous Home Campaign
Hopes were high as India hosted the tournament, but the performance on the field did not match expectations. Losses to West Indies and Australia meant that India failed to advance beyond the group stage, despite securing a consolation win against England.
- 2009 (South Africa)– Another Early Exit
India once again found themselves unable to make it past the group stage. A defeat to Pakistan and a rain-affected match against Australia left them struggling, and although they managed a win against West Indies, it wasn’t enough to progress.
- 2013 (England)– India’s Greatest Champions Trophy Triumph
This edition marked India’s finest hour in the Champions Trophy. Unbeaten throughout the tournament, they dominated South Africa, West Indies, and Pakistan in the group stage before cruising past Sri Lanka in the semi-finals.
The final, a rain-shortened thriller against England, saw India defend a modest total of 129, winning by five runs in a tense finish. Shikhar Dhawan emerged as the tournament’s standout performer, finishing as the highest run-scorer, while MS Dhoni became the first captain in history to win all three major ICC white-ball trophies—the T20 World Cup (2007), ODI World Cup (2011), and Champions Trophy (2013).
- 2017 (England)– A Final to Forget
India entered the tournament as defending champions and looked set for another title run. They started with big wins over Pakistan and South Africa, and despite a slip against Sri Lanka, they comfortably reached the semi-finals. A dominant performance against Bangladesh set up a highly anticipated final against Pakistan.
However, in what turned out to be a one-sided contest, Fakhar Zaman’s century and Mohammad Amir’s lethal spell saw Pakistan crush India by 180 runs, handing them one of their most painful defeats in an ICC final.
2025 Champions Trophy: Can India Reclaim Glory?
With the next Champions Trophy set to begin on February 19, India will be aiming to reclaim the title. Dubai will be their battleground, and with a mix of experienced players and young talent, they will be eager to make their mark once again.
