Thu Feb 13 07:24:37 UTC 2025: ## ICC Champions Trophy: A History of the Tournament
**New Delhi, [Date of Publication]:** The ICC Champions Trophy, a prestigious One Day International (ODI) cricket tournament, celebrates its ninth edition this year, marking a return after an eight-year hiatus. The tournament, set to run from June 19th to March 9th [Note: There’s a discrepancy in the original text; March and June are both mentioned. The correct month is likely June], has a rich history dating back to 1998.
Initially conceived to promote cricket in non-Test playing nations, the inaugural tournament, then known as the ICC KnockOut Trophy, featured nine full-member ICC teams. South Africa emerged victorious, defeating the West Indies. The second edition in 2000, also a knockout format, was held in Kenya and included two non-Test nations: Bangladesh and Kenya. New Zealand claimed the title after beating India in the final.
The tournament adopted its current name, the ICC Champions Trophy, in 2002. Initially planned for India, it was moved to Sri Lanka due to tax disputes. This edition featured a round-robin format with four groups of three teams each, culminating in a rain-affected final where India and Sri Lanka were declared joint winners. India’s first Champions Trophy title was thus a shared one.
Subsequent tournaments were held in England (2004, won by the West Indies), India (2006, won by Australia), and South Africa (2009, also won by Australia). The 2008 tournament scheduled for Pakistan was cancelled due to security concerns.
The 2013 edition, back in England, saw India claim its second title, defeating the hosts. The 2017 tournament, again with eight teams divided into two groups, concluded with a thrilling final where Pakistan defeated India to win its first Champions Trophy.
This year’s tournament promises another exciting competition, a welcome return for a tournament with a captivating past and a promising future.
First Piper 