The ICC Champions Trophy has been a stage for legendary batsmen to showcase their talent and leave a lasting impact. Some players have dominated. Here’s a breakdown of the top five players with the most runs in ICC Champions Trophy, their standout performances, and how they shaped its history over the years.
1. Chris Gayle (West Indies) – 791 Runs
Span: 2002-2013 | Matches: 17 | Innings: 17 | Average: 52.73 | 100s: 3 | 50s: 1
Chris Gayle, known for his explosive batting, remains the all-time leading run-scorer in Champions Trophy history. He holds the record for most runs in ICC Champions Trophy. His aggressive approach made an impact.
One of his finest innings came in the 2006 semi-final against South Africa, where he smashed 133* off 135 balls, securing victory.
He also played a crucial knock of 101* against England in the group stage, helping West Indies advance to the next round.
Gayle’s power-hitting and ability to dominate the powerplay made him a nightmare for bowlers in the Champions Trophy. His impact was huge.
West Indies also won the 2004 edition, with Gayle playing a significant role in their triumph over England in the final match.
2. Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka) – 742 Runs
Span: 2000-2013 | Matches: 22 | Innings: 21 | Average: 41.22 | 100s: 0 | 50s: 5
A class batsman and big-match player, Jayawardene was Sri Lanka’s backbone in the Champions Trophy. His consistency made him a key performer.
His best innings came in the 2006 semi-final against New Zealand, where he scored 77 off 113 balls, leading Sri Lanka to a strong total.
He also played a crucial knock in the 2002 final, scoring 77 runs as Sri Lanka shared the title with India due to rain.
Though he never scored a century in the tournament, his five half-centuries highlight his ability to anchor innings under pressure. A true legend.
3. Shikhar Dhawan (India) – 701 Runs
Span: 2013-2017 | Matches: 10 | Innings: 10 | Average: 77.88 | 100s: 3 | 50s: 3
Shikhar Dhawan’s dominance in just two editions makes him one of the most impactful batsmen in Champions Trophy history. His consistency was incredible.
He announced himself with a brilliant 114 off 94 balls against South Africa in 2013, followed by a match-winning 102* against West Indies.
Dhawan finished as the leading run-scorer in both the 2013 and 2017 editions, helping India lift the trophy and reach another final.
His ability to accelerate from the start made him India’s key player in high-pressure games. He delivered when it mattered the most.
4. Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) – 683 Runs
Span: 2000-2013 | Matches: 22 | Innings: 21 | Average: 37.94 | 100s: 1 | 50s: 4
Sangakkara, a batsman of grace and determination, played crucial innings for Sri Lanka. His performances were vital in tough match situations.
His best moment came in 2013 against England when he scored a match-winning 134* off 135 balls, successfully chasing down 294 runs.
Having played five editions, including the 2002 triumph, Sangakkara provided Sri Lanka with much-needed stability in the middle order. He was brilliant.
Though not as dominant in numbers as some others, his ability to guide Sri Lanka through tense chases made him an invaluable player.
5. Sourav Ganguly (India) – 665 Runs
Span: 1998-2004 | Matches: 13 | Innings: 11 | Average: 73.88 | 100s: 3 | 50s: 3
One of India’s greatest players, Sourav Ganguly remains one of the finest performers in Champions Trophy history. His fearless batting stood out.
His most iconic innings came in the 2000 semi-final against South Africa, where he scored 141* off 142 balls, leading India to the final.
He also played a match-winning knock of 117* against England in the 2002 edition, helping India reach the final, which was later shared.
Ganguly’s leadership and aggressive intent helped India reach two Champions Trophy finals. His impact on Indian cricket remains unparalleled. He was phenomenal.
Other Top Performers
Other Players in the list with most runs in ICC Champions Trophy are:
- Jacques Kallis (South Africa) – 653 runs in 17 innings, averaging 46.64. High score: 113*. A reliable middle-order batsman in crunch games.
- Rahul Dravid (India) – 627 runs in 15 innings, averaging 48.23. High score: 76. His ability to anchor innings made him invaluable.
- Ricky Ponting (Australia) – 593 runs in 18 innings, averaging 39.53. High score: 111*. A big-match player who thrived under pressure.
- Shivnarine Chanderpaul (West Indies) – 587 runs in 16 innings, averaging 53.36. High score: 74. His steady batting helped West Indies immensely.
- Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka) – 536 runs in 20 innings, averaging 29.77. High score: 102*. His aggressive style shaped many of Sri Lanka’s victories.
Conclusion
These batsmen not only amassed runs but played game-changing knocks that defined Champions Trophy history. Some lifted the trophy, others fell short.
Among them, Dhawan and Jayawardene won the title, while Gayle, Ganguly, and Sangakkara came close but missed out. Their contributions were legendary.
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