Highest Individual Scores in Champions Trophy Finals: The Champions Trophy has been one of the most prestigious ODI team cricket tournaments since 1998. Although teams that have won those finals are always under the spotlight, the achievements of individual players during these pressure games have etched themselves into history as well. Since the 2025 Champions Trophy is about to start on February 19,
Highest Individual Scores in Champions Trophy Finals
Champions Trophy 1998: Philo Alfonso Wallace (West Indies)
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In the first edition of the Champions Trophy, the final was between South Africa and West Indies. West Indies had batted first and scored a fighting total of 245 runs. Philo Alfonso Wallace was the highest scorer, scoring an incredible knock of 103 runs off 122 balls. His innings of 11 fours and 5 sixes was a great performance. Although he put up a heroic fight, West Indies lost and South Africa won with four wickets to spare. Hansie Cronje, captain of South Africa, was the hero of the match, scoring 61 runs.
Champions Trophy 2000: Sourav Ganguly (India)
India and New Zealand played in the 2000 Champions Trophy final in Nairobi. India batted first and scored 264 runs, with Sourav Ganguly scoring a superb 117 runs off 130 balls, with 9 fours and 4 sixes. Ganguly’s knock was crucial, but New Zealand successfully chased down the target, with Chris Cairns adding an unbeaten 102* to take his team to a four-wicket win. Even Ganguly’s brilliant performance could not stop New Zealand’s chase.
Champions Trophy 2002: Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka)
The 2002 Champions Trophy final between India and Sri Lanka in Colombo was rain-affected, resulting in a no-result. But Sri Lanka had elected to bat first and had scored 222/7 in their 50 overs. Mahela Jayawardene was the mainstay with the bat, scoring a mature 77 runs from 102 balls, with 6 boundaries. Supported by Russell Arnold (56*), Jayawardene enabled Sri Lanka to post a fighting total. India’s reply was thwarted by the weather, and the match was abandoned, and there was no official victor.
Champions Trophy 2004: Marcus Trescothick (England)
The 2004 England vs. West Indies final at The Oval had England batting first, and Marcus Trescothick scored a heroic 104 runs. Trescothick’s 14-boundary innings contributed to England reaching a total of 217 runs. West Indies came back well and chased down the score with two wickets in hand, thanks to a vital 47-run contribution by Shivnarine Chanderpaul.
Champions Trophy 2006: Shane Watson (Australia)
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In the final of the 2006 Champions Trophy, West Indies played against Australia at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai. West Indies were bowled out for a mere 138 runs. Australia, in return, chased the target easily, losing only two wickets. Shane Watson’s unbeaten 57 runs from 66 balls was the key to Australia’s easy win. Watson’s effort consisted of 4 boundaries, and his calm innings led Australia to a historic win.
Champions Trophy 2009: Shane Watson (Australia)
Shane Watson made a mark again in the final of the 2009 Champions Trophy, this time against New Zealand. New Zealand had batted first and had scored only 200 runs. Australia, as a response, easily chased down the target and won by 6 wickets. Watson’s 105* runs off 126 balls containing 7 fours was a winning performance. His innings took Australia to their second successive Champions Trophy title, strengthening his image further as a big-match player.
Champions Trophy 2013: Virat Kohli (India)
India vs. England’s 2013 Champions Trophy final was an affair affected by rain, limited to 20 overs a side. India, batting first, could muster only 129/7. Virat Kohli’s 43 runs off 34 balls, which included 4 fours and a six, were the highest contribution for India in this low-scoring encounter. The match ended with India winning by 5 runs, as England could only muster 124/8 in their chase. Despite the rain interruptions, Kohli’s performance was crucial in securing India’s victory, and the win marked a historic achievement for the Indian cricket team.
Champions Trophy 2017: Fakhar Zaman (Pakistan)
In the final of the 2017 Champions Trophy, Pakistan was up against eternal rivals India in a match that was full of excitement. Pakistan scored a whopping total of 338/4 off their 50 overs, whereas Fakhar Zaman scored 114 runs off just 106 deliveries. Zaman’s innings contained 12 fours and 3 sixes and formed the backbone of Pakistan’s show in the final.
Despite India’s glitzy batting line-up, Pakistan won the final by an overwhelming 180-run margin. Fakhar Zaman’s performance during the final was universally acclaimed, and his role was a pivotal one in helping Pakistan achieve their first Champions Trophy title.
A Glimpse Into Champions Trophy History
Champions Trophy history has seen some legendary individual performances, with batsmen being crucial in determining finals results. From Philo Wallace’s masterful 103 in 1998 to Fakhar Zaman’s match-winning 114 in 2017, these men have etched their names into the history of the tournament. As the 2025 edition gets underway, fans will be keen to find out who will be the next man to pen a new chapter in the rich history of the Champions Trophy.
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