All Champions Trophy Winners — From 1998 to 2025

The ICC Champions Trophy is one of the most distinctive tournaments in the world of one-day international cricket. It was introduced in 1998 as a shorter, high-intensity competition that would bring the best sides together more frequently than the World Cup. Over the years, it has gained a reputation as the “mini World Cup”, where every game matters and the pressure is relentless.

A list of Champions Trophy winners is more than just a roll call of names. It provides a snapshot of changing trends in world cricket, from South Africa’s early glory to Australia’s ruthless dominance, and from India’s steady accumulation of titles to Pakistan’s unforgettable 2017 triumph. There have also been unusual moments, such as the shared trophy of 2002.

Covering the period from the very first edition in 1998 through to the most recent in 2025, the winners list reflects not only who lifted the trophy but also how the game itself evolved. It tells a story of shifting balances of power, legendary matches, and legacies that continue to shape perceptions of one-day cricket.

1998: The First Winner

The inaugural Champions Trophy, then known as the ICC KnockOut Trophy, was held in Dhaka, Bangladesh, in 1998. It was a straight knockout tournament involving all Test-playing nations. The final saw South Africa meet the West Indies in front of a lively crowd at the Bangabandhu Stadium.

Batting first, West Indies reached 245 thanks to a brilliant century from Philo Wallace. However, South Africa’s batting line-up, led by Mike Rindel and Hansie Cronje, chased down the target with relative ease. Jacques Kallis also made a significant contribution with both bat and ball, underlining his emergence as one of the game’s finest all-rounders.

South Africa secured victory by four wickets, making them the first-ever Champions Trophy winners. For a nation still relatively new on the international scene after its readmission to cricket in the early 1990s, this triumph carried symbolic weight. It was a statement that they belonged among the elite in one-day cricket.

2000 – Early Upset and New Champions

The second edition in 2000 was hosted in Nairobi, Kenya. Once again, it followed a knockout format. This time, it produced a result that surprised many observers. India, packed with batting stars such as Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly, was expected to win the final against New Zealand.

Batting first, India posted 264, largely thanks to Ganguly’s fluent 117. It looked like a winning score, but Chris Cairns played the innings of his life. His unbeaten 102 powered New Zealand to their first and only ICC trophy to date. It was a landmark moment for New Zealand cricket and remains one of their proudest achievements in the one-day format.

For India, it was a case of a missed opportunity. For New Zealand, it confirmed their status as a team capable of upsetting giants on the biggest stage. The Nairobi triumph remains one of the most memorable finals in Champions Trophy history.

2002: A Shared Trophy

The 2002 edition was hosted in Sri Lanka, and for the first time, the tournament adopted a group stage before the knockouts. The final featured hosts Sri Lanka and India, two cricket-obsessed nations. Anticipation was high, but the weather had the final say.

The first attempt at the final was washed out by heavy rain. A reserve day was in place, yet when the game was replayed, it too ended in a washout. With no winner possible, the trophy was shared between the two sides. This remains the only time in ICC men’s tournament history where a trophy was officially shared.

For Sri Lanka, it was a proud moment to be crowned co-champions on home soil. For India, it added to their record of consistency in multi-nation events. The 2002 Champions Trophy remains a unique story in cricket’s record books and illustrates the unpredictability of the sport.

2004 to 2009 – Era of High Stakes Finals

The 2004 tournament was staged in England. The final brought together the West Indies and the hosts. England posted 217, but West Indies, led by Courtney Browne and Ian Bradshaw in a tense lower-order partnership, pulled off a remarkable chase at The Oval. It was the West Indies’ first and only Champions Trophy title and their last major ICC trophy for many years.

Two years later, in 2006, the Champions Trophy moved to India. Australia faced the West Indies in the final in Mumbai. This time Australia triumphed, winning by eight wickets thanks to an all-round performance led by Shane Watson. It marked the beginning of Australia’s successful era in the tournament.

In 2009, the event shifted to South Africa. Once again, Australia reached the final, this time against New Zealand. Australia won convincingly by six wickets, with Shane Watson once again producing a match-winning century. This victory made Australia back-to-back Champions Trophy winners and confirmed their dominance in the mid-2000s.

The period from 2004 to 2009 showed just how competitive the Champions Trophy had become. Each final was closely contested, and it was in this era that the tournament began to develop its reputation for producing high-quality, high-pressure cricket.

2013 and 2017 – India and Pakistan’s Recent Triumphs

The 2013 Champions Trophy was held in England and Wales. The final was between India and England at Edgbaston. Rain reduced the match to 20 overs per side, creating a T20-style finale. India, led by MS Dhoni, held their nerve and defended a modest score of 129, winning by five runs. Ravindra Jadeja’s all-around brilliance was decisive. This gave India their second Champions Trophy title and added to Dhoni’s record of success in ICC tournaments.

The 2017 edition, again in England, created one of the most remarkable stories in modern cricket. Pakistan, written off by many before the event, surged to the final against arch-rivals India. At The Oval, Pakistan produced a near-perfect performance. Fakhar Zaman scored a century, Mohammad Amir tore through India’s top order, and Pakistan secured victory by 180 runs. It was their first Champions Trophy title and one of their greatest days in one-day cricket.

These two finals highlighted the shifting dynamics in South Asian cricket. India reaffirmed their status as a global powerhouse in 2013, while Pakistan’s 2017 win showed the enduring magic of the Champions Trophy as a stage for upsets and moments of national pride.

2025: The Latest Championship

After an eight-year gap, the Champions Trophy returned in 2025. The event was hosted by Pakistan, with India’s matches played in Dubai. The final was contested between India and New Zealand, continuing a rivalry that has grown in recent ICC tournaments.

India triumphed to secure their third title, making them the most successful side in the history of the competition. The final was marked by Rachin Ravindra’s impressive batting for New Zealand, but India’s balanced team performance proved decisive. Matt Henry impressed with the ball, yet India’s batting depth and clinical execution saw them over the line.

The 2025 win ended a long wait for India to claim another ICC one-day trophy. It also underlined the enduring appeal of the Champions Trophy. Fans across Pakistan, Dubai, and the wider cricketing world were reminded why the tournament remains so special.

Summary Table of Champions Trophy Winners (1998–2025)

Patterns and Records in Champions Trophy History

Looking at the winners' list from 1998 to 2025, certain patterns stand out. India now leads the way with three titles, including one shared in 2002. Australia is next with two back-to-back victories in 2006 and 2009. South Africa, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, the West Indies, and Pakistan each have one title to their name.

The shared trophy of 2002 remains unique, highlighting how weather can shape cricket history. Australia’s consecutive wins show their dominance during the mid-2000s, while India’s consistency has seen them become the most decorated side in the competition.

Individual records also tell their own stories. Chris Gayle holds the record for most runs in Champions Trophy history, and Kyle Mills tops the wicket-takers list. Pakistan’s 180-run win over India in 2017 remains the largest margin of victory in a final. These statistics illustrate the level of competition and the outstanding performances that the Champions Trophy continues to inspire.

Why the Winners List Tells More Than Champions

The list of Champions Trophy winners is not just a record of who lifted the silverware. It reflects the ebb and flow of cricket’s balance of power. South Africa’s early success marked its arrival as a force. New Zealand’s 2000 win showed their ability to spring surprises. Australia’s victories underlined their golden generation. India’s three titles tell the story of sustained excellence in white ball cricket, while Pakistan’s 2017 victory was a reminder of the sport’s unpredictability.

The winners' list also mirrors the evolution of the tournament itself. From sudden death knockouts to compact group stages, from shared trophies to hybrid hosting, the Champions Trophy has adapted to changing times while maintaining its prestige. Above all, the roll of honour demonstrates how the tournament has preserved the relevance of ODI cricket by creating condensed moments of brilliance.

Conclusion

From Dhaka in 1998 to Pakistan and Dubai in 2025, the Champions Trophy winners list maps a fascinating history of one-day cricket. South Africa’s early triumph, New Zealand’s surprise, the shared trophy of 2002, Australia’s golden run, India’s steady accumulation, and Pakistan’s unforgettable 2017 victory all highlight different chapters in cricket’s journey.

As ODI cricket faces challenges from T20 leagues and a packed international calendar, remembering the Champions Trophy winners is a way of recalling the drama, prestige, and significance of the format. These champions are not only the names on a trophy but also markers of the sport’s global story. The Champions Trophy remains a symbol of high-intensity cricket, and its winners continue to shape the legacy of the one-day game.