ICC Champions Trophy Winners List: A Legacy of Cricketing Glory (1998-2025)

 

ICC Champions Trophy Winners List: A Legacy of Cricketing Glory (1998-2025)

Date: March 9, 2025

As the sun sets on the Dubai International Stadium today, March 9, 2025, the cricketing world celebrates the culmination of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The ninth edition of this prestigious ODI tournament has just concluded with India facing off against New Zealand in a thrilling final. With the trophy now awarded, it’s the perfect moment to revisit the Champions Trophy’s storied history, update the winners list, and dive into the latest news surrounding this “Mini World Cup.” From its inception in 1998 to today’s epic showdown, here’s everything you need to know about the champions who’ve lifted this coveted silverware.

The Champions Trophy Winners List: 1998 to 2025

The ICC Champions Trophy, launched in 1998 as the ICC KnockOut Trophy, has seen nine editions through 2025, each marked by unforgettable moments and fierce competition. Below is the complete list of winners, updated with today’s result:

1998: South Africa  

Final: South Africa beat West Indies by 4 wickets (Dhaka, Bangladesh)  

Captain: Hansie Cronje  

Highlight: The inaugural tournament saw South Africa claim their only ICC trophy to date. Jacques Kallis earned Player of the Tournament honors with a match-winning all-round performance in the final.

2000: New Zealand  

Final: New Zealand beat India by 4 wickets (Nairobi, Kenya)  

Captain: Stephen Fleming  

Highlight: Chris Cairns’ unbeaten 102 in the final upset Sourav Ganguly’s India, marking New Zealand’s first global ODI title.

2002: India and Sri Lanka (Joint Winners)  

Final: No result due to rain (Colombo, Sri Lanka)  

Captains: Sourav Ganguly (India), Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka)  

Highlight: Rain washed out the final across two days, leaving India and Sri Lanka as co-champions after stellar campaigns.

2004: West Indies  

Final: West Indies beat England by 2 wickets (London, England)  

Captain: Brian Lara  

Highlight: A thrilling chase at The Oval saw West Indies edge out England, with Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s composure sealing the deal.

2006: Australia  

Final: Australia beat West Indies by 8 wickets (Mumbai, India)  

Captain: Ricky Ponting  

Highlight: Shane Watson’s unbeaten 57 powered Australia to their first Champions Trophy, showcasing their mid-2000s dominance.

2009: Australia  

Final: Australia beat New Zealand by 6 wickets (Centurion, South Africa)  

Captain: Ricky Ponting  

Highlight: Watson’s unbeaten 105 made Australia the first team to defend the title, cementing their legacy.

2013: India  

Final: India beat England by 5 runs (Birmingham, England)  

Captain: MS Dhoni  

Highlight: A rain-shortened 20-over final saw India defend 129, with Ravindra Jadeja and Ishant Sharma starring in a tense finish.

2017: Pakistan  

Final: Pakistan beat India by 180 runs (London, England)  

Captain: Sarfaraz Ahmed  

Highlight: Fakhar Zaman’s 114 and Mohammad Amir’s 3/16 stunned India, delivering Pakistan’s biggest-ever ICC win over their rivals.

2025: India  

Final: India beat New Zealand by 7 wickets (Dubai, UAE)  

Captain: Rohit Sharma  

Highlight: In a commanding performance today, India chased down New Zealand’s 263 with Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 112 and Hardik Pandya’s quickfire 45 sealing a third title. Jasprit Bumrah’s 4/38 earned him Player of the Match.

Latest News: India Crowned Champions in 2025

As of 2:21 PM IST today, India has just lifted the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, defeating New Zealand by 7 wickets in Dubai. The final, played on the same pitch that hosted India’s group-stage win over Pakistan, saw New Zealand post 262/8, thanks to Rachin Ravindra’s 89 and Kane Williamson’s 62. However, India’s bowlers, led by Bumrah and Axar Patel (3/49), kept the Kiwis in check. In reply, Rohit Sharma’s brisk 42 set the tone before Kohli’s masterclass and Pandya’s late flourish brought the trophy home with 14 balls to spare.

This victory marks India’s third Champions Trophy title (2002 joint, 2013, 2025), tying them with Australia as the most successful team in the tournament’s history. Kohli, now just 45 runs shy of Chris Gayle’s all-time Champions Trophy run record (791), was named Player of the Tournament with 289 runs across five matches. Posts on X are erupting with praise, with fans calling it “Kohli’s redemption arc” after a lean patch earlier this year.

New Zealand, despite the loss, showcased their pedigree. Their semi-final total of 362/6 against South Africa—the highest in Champions Trophy history—highlighted their batting depth, but they couldn’t overcome India’s clinical chase today.

In-Depth Analysis: What Makes a Champion?

The Champions Trophy’s history reveals patterns of dominance and unpredictability. Australia’s back-to-back wins (2006, 2009) underscored their golden era, while India’s triumphs (2013, 2025) reflect their modern ODI prowess. Pakistan’s 2017 stunner and New Zealand’s 2000 upset prove the tournament’s knack for rewarding underdogs who peak at the right time.

Key Stats:  

Most titles: India and Australia (3 each).  

Highest individual score: Ibrahim Zadran’s 177 (Afghanistan vs. England, 2025).  

Most wickets: Kyle Mills (28, New Zealand, across editions).  

Biggest win: Pakistan’s 180-run thrashing of India (2017).

2025 Standouts:  

India’s spin trio (Patel, Chakravarthy, Yadav) took 19 wickets combined.  

New Zealand’s 356/5 chase vs. Australia in the group stage set a tournament record.  

Afghanistan’s semi-final run, led by Zadran, marked their arrival on the big stage.

The Road to 2025: A Tournament of Twists

The 2025 edition, co-hosted by Pakistan and the UAE, began on February 19 with Pakistan falling to New Zealand in Karachi. India and New Zealand topped Group A, while Australia and South Africa led Group B. The semi-finals saw India edge Australia by 4 wickets and New Zealand hammer South Africa by 50 runs. Today’s final was a fitting climax, with India’s experience trumping New Zealand’s resilience.

Off-field drama added spice. Matt Henry’s injury forced New Zealand to rely on William O’Rourke, while India’s decision to stick with an unchanged XI paid dividends. The hybrid hosting model—shifting some matches to Dubai due to India-Pakistan tensions—ensured a smooth tournament, though debates about neutral venues linger.

Looking Ahead: 2029 and Beyond

With India now champions, the focus shifts to 2029, when they’ll host the next edition. Will they defend their title on home soil? Can New Zealand, twice runners-up (2009, 2025), finally break their final jinx? And what of emerging forces like Afghanistan, who’ve signaled their intent?

The Champions Trophy remains a crucible of cricketing excellence—short, intense, and unpredictable. Today’s win cements India’s legacy, but the tournament’s charm lies in its ability to surprise. From South Africa’s 1998 glory to India’s 2025 triumph, every champion has a story worth telling.

Where to Relive the Action: Catch highlights on Disney+ Hotstar, Star Sports, or ICC’s YouTube channel. Follow the buzz on X—search #ChampionsTrophy2025 for fan reactions and expert takes.