The mini World Cup — elite ODI cricket's second-biggest prize
The ICC Champions Trophy is a One Day International tournament organised by the International Cricket Council (ICC), contested exclusively by the top-ranked ODI nations. Often called the "mini World Cup," it features a compact format with only eight teams, making every match high-stakes with no room for error.
First held in Bangladesh in 1998 under the name ICC Knockout Tournament, it was rebranded as the Champions Trophy in 2002. The tournament ran every two years until 2006, after which it switched to a four-year cycle. It was discontinued after 2017, only to be revived for the 2025 edition held in Pakistan and the UAE, marking a long-awaited return.
The Champions Trophy has produced some of cricket's most dramatic finals. The 2002 edition famously ended with India and Sri Lanka declared joint winners after the final was washed out twice. The 2017 final saw Pakistan dismantle India by 180 runs in what is widely considered one of the greatest upsets in ODI cricket.
India lead the Champions Trophy with 3 titles (2002, 2013, 2025). The tournament's exclusivity — only elite teams qualify — gives it a prestige that makes it a coveted trophy despite its shorter format compared to the full World Cup.
The mini World Cup — elite ODI cricket's second-biggest prize
The ICC Champions Trophy is a One Day International tournament organised by the International Cricket Council (ICC), contested exclusively by the top-ranked ODI nations. Often called the "mini World Cup," it features a compact format with only eight teams, making every match high-stakes with no room for error.
First held in Bangladesh in 1998 under the name ICC Knockout Tournament, it was rebranded as the Champions Trophy in 2002. The tournament ran every two years until 2006, after which it switched to a four-year cycle. It was discontinued after 2017, only to be revived for the 2025 edition held in Pakistan and the UAE, marking a long-awaited return.
The Champions Trophy has produced some of cricket's most dramatic finals. The 2002 edition famously ended with India and Sri Lanka declared joint winners after the final was washed out twice. The 2017 final saw Pakistan dismantle India by 180 runs in what is widely considered one of the greatest upsets in ODI cricket.
India lead the Champions Trophy with 3 titles (2002, 2013, 2025). The tournament's exclusivity — only elite teams qualify — gives it a prestige that makes it a coveted trophy despite its shorter format compared to the full World Cup.
