As we edge closer to the eighth edition of the Champions Trophy, it is time to take a step back and look at the stunning performers and performances throughout the tournament. Although the tournament is still less than two decades old, it has witnessed some exhilarating contests and stunning performers.
Some outstanding players have played in the first seven editions of the tournament and compiling the best is tricky. Some of the best players of this generation, ala Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, and co. have either played too few games or failed to make as much of an impact. So it isn't surprising to note that only one active player features in the all-time Champions Trophy XI.
Here is the all-time Champions Trophy XI:
Openers
Chris Gayle
M: 17 | R: 791 | Avg: 52.73 | 100s: 3 | 50s: 1 | HS: 133*
W: 17 | Avg: 22.35 | SR: 22.35 | Eco: 4.48 | BBI: 3-3
Long before he became the T20 demi-god that he is now, Chris Gayle had another avatar. One in which he still murdered balls over the boundaries but aside from that, also delivered off-spinners that didn't spin and confounded the batsmen as a result.
The leading T20 run-getter is also the leading run-scorer in the history of the Champions Trophy. While he was the second leading run-getter for West Indies in their triumph in 2004, it was the advent of T20 that sparked his greatest success in the tournament. Gayle scored three hundreds in the 2006 edition in which he finished as the Player of the Tournament.
Sourav Ganguly (C)
M: 13 | R: 665 | Avg: 73.88 | 100s: 3 | 50s: 3 | HS: 141*
Although his two opening partners, Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag have garnered more attention, it is Sourav Ganguly who makes it into this side. Two centuries in the space of two days in the semi-final and final of the 2000 edition alone warrant his inclusion in this side.
The fact that he averaged nearly 75, scored three fifties and centuries apiece and also won the tournament as skipper (2002) once only strengthens his credentials.
Middle order
Rahul Dravid (WK)
M: 19 | R: 627 | Avg: 48.23 | 100s: 0 | 50s: 6 | HS: 76
While Rahul Dravid was the ever-dependable wall in Tests, in ODIs, he was whatever the team needed to be. Whether it is as the No.3 or as the finisher, he has played everywhere and despite the strength of the batting line-up, it was Dravid who was the most consistent of the middle-order batsmen.
With no outstanding candidates for the wicketkeeper slot, Dravid dons the gloves in this side, just as he did for India in 73 ODIs, including the victorious 2002 campaign. His six fifties are the most by any batsman in the Champions Trophy.
Damien Martyn
M: 12 | R: 492 | Ave: 61.50 | 100s: 0 | 50s: 5 | HS: 78
Despite not being the flashiest or the most famous of the Australian batsmen, he is the only one who makes the cut. The 2006 edition that was won by Australia was moment in the spotlight as he played a pivotal role in three of Australia's win while chasing with two fifties and an unbeaten 43.
Five fifties in 12 matches and an average of over 60 are excellent numbers, especially at a time when the top-order was considered one of the best in the business.
All-rounders
Jacques Kallis
M: 17 | R: 653 | Ave: 46.64 | 100s: 1 | 50s: 3 | HS: 113*
W: 20 | Ave: 26.25 | SR: 31.9 | Eco: 4.92 | BBI: 5-30
South Africa's only piece of international silverware came in the inaugural edition of the Champions Trophy in 2008. The cornerstone of their success was the form of Kallis who picked up the Man of the Match award in the semi-final for his unbeaten 113 against Sri Lanka and then in the final as well where finished with 5/20 and sealed the title.
20 wickets and over 650 runs at an average of just under 50 just highlight his all-round capabilities. From 17 matches, a century and three fifties might not make for great reading but when you add 20 wickets at an economy rate of under 5, you have the ideal all-rounder.
Shane Watson
M: 17 | R: 453 | Ave: 41.18 | 100s: 2 | 50s: 2 | HS: 136*
W: 17 | Ave: 23.29 | SR: 33.8 | Eco: 4.12 | BBI: 3-16
The Australian all-rounder's numbers are almost as good as Jacques Kallis' and that is a remarkable stat by itself. But the main reason why he makes it is his ability to make it count when it mattered most. An integral part of Australia's win in 2006 and 2009, Watson was the Man of the Match in both finals and the 2009 semi-final.
While the 2006 edition saw an all-round effort as he scored an unbeaten 57 and a couple of wickets, the next edition was a batting master class as he scored back-to-back unbeaten centuries to help his side retain the title.
Spinners
Daniel Vettori
M: 17 | R: 299 | Ave: 37.37 | 100s: 0 | 50s: 1 | HS: 79
W: 18 | Ave: 29.00 | SR: 47.5 | Eco: 3.65 | BBI: 3-14
Although he was in the side as the primary spinner, Daniel Vettori, as he has done throughout his career, continued to exceed expectations. 18 wickets at an economy rate of under 4 just highlight how good he was, even while bowling in an era of strong batsmen and big bats.
It was in the 2009 edition that Vettori did his best work as he produced two match-winning performances and helped New Zealand qualify for the final, which they eventually lost to a Shane Watson-powered Australia. Among all bowlers with at least 10 wickets, Vettori has the second-best economy rate.
Muttiah Muralitharan
M: 17 | W: 24 | Ave: 20.16 | SR: 33.5 | Econ: 3.60 | BBI: 4-15
The wizard from Sri Lanka tops that list and showed just why he is widely regarded as one of the best bowlers to have ever played the game. 24 wickets at an economy rate of just 3.60 are numbers that indicate a bowler at the peak of his powers, toying with his prey as a predator would sometimes.
Sri Lanka's sole Champions Trophy triumph, in 2002 came when Muralitharan bamboozled batsmen. He ended the tournament with 10 wickets at an average of just 7 which show just how difficult he was to get away. In the next edition, he picked up nine wickets but his side weren't as successful.
Fast bowlers
Kyle Mills
M: 15 | W: 28 | Ave: 17.25 | SR: 24.1 | Eco: 4.29 | BBI: 4-30
The leading wicket-taker in the Champions Trophy isn't Muttiah Muralitharan or Glenn McGrath, both of whom make the cut but New Zealand fast bowler Kyle Mills. The metronomic Kiwi fast bowler was the epitome of consistency in the Champions Trophy where he averaged nearly two wickets per game.
The numbers say it all. In the 2006 edition, he picked up 10 wickets at an average of 11, in the following edition it was 9 wickets at an average of 22 while his final Champions Trophy saw him pick up six wickets at just 10 in 2013. The former two also included a couple of sublime spells, 4-38 in the 2006 semi-final and 3-27 in the 2009 final.
Mervyn Dillon
M: 7 | W: 19 | Ave: 16.68 | Eco: 4.66 | BBI: 5-29
Of the many great fast bowlers that West Indies have produced, Mervyn Dillon is unlikely to feature near the top of any list. But his record in the Champions Trophy is simply staggering. Despite playing just seven matches, the fast bowler picked up 19 wickets at an economy rate of just over 4.5.
He was a part of the victorious West Indian 2004 Champions Trophy side and although he picked up his career-best ODI figures of 5/29 in the tournament, injury prevented him from having a bigger impact.
Glenn McGrath
M: 12 | W: 21 | Ave: 19.61 | SR: 29.1 | Eco: 4.03 | BBI: 5-37
A veteran of three World Cups wins, Glenn McGrath only has a solitary Champions Trophy title to his name. Still, 21 wickets in 12 matches at economy rate of just over 4 showed just how difficult he was to get away.
New Zealand, in particular, were sick at the sight of him as he reserved his best for the Trans-Tasman rivals. After picking up 5/37 in the 2002 edition, he was at it again four years later when he picked up 3/22 in the semi-final to knock them out of the competition.
Brand-new app in a brand-new avatar! Download Cric Rocket for fast cricket scores, rocket flicks, super notifications and much more!
