ICC Champions Trophy: close encounters

The ICC Champions Trophy, inaugurated in the year 1998 as Wills International Cup, is a major event in cricket, next to the ICC World Cup. It has been played every two years since it’s inception, with the 2013 edition being the exception, which is currently being played after a period of four years and is believed to be the final edition. The beauty of this format is that, over the years, it has produced some exciting and thrilling encounters. We introduce you with some of the close encounters from each edition .

1998 Wills International Cup:

India Vs Australia, Dhaka, 28 October

Sachin Tendulkar scored an aggressive century and took the attack to the Australian bowlers

The 1998 edition was a knock out tournament with 4 quarter-final (QF) matches deciding 4 semi-finalists, and winners of the two semi-finals were to play the finals. England and New Zealand were eliminated in the first two QFs and the third QF was to be played between India and Australia. India had the upper hand going into the match, as they had won the Coca Cola cup convincingly, thanks to Sachin’s desert storm innings of 134. Australia’s bowling attack had been weakened by the absence of stalwarts, Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne.

Australia had won the toss and chose to field in the day/night encounter, considering the dew factor. India were struggling at 8/2 in 3 overs after Fleming and Kasprowicz struck a blow each. Thereafter, Sachin and Dravid took control of the proceedings and built a partnership of 140 runs for the third wicket, before a run-out sent Dravid to the pavilion. Then Jadeja and Sachin kept the scorecard ticking at a faster pace, stitching a partnership of 132 runs off 114 deliveries taking India to 280 at the end of 45 overs. In the process, Sachin brought up his 19th ODI century. A couple of run-outs sent both Sachin and Jadeja to the pavilion and brought the run rate down. India ended their innings at 307-8 at the end of 50 overs.

Australia, with a target of 308, made their progress steadily. Australia were cruising the target at 145-1 in 25 overs, when Sunil Joshi got the better of Ricky Ponting, who had, by then, settled for a big score. Joshi once again provided the breakthrough by claiming the wicket of Mark Waugh, a couple of overs later, reducing Australia to 167-3. From then, India claimed the Aussie’s wickets at regular intervals, with Sachin taking the crucial wickets of Steve Waugh, Michael Bevan and Damien Martyn. Australia were all out for 263 at the start of the 48th over, with Sachin ending up with figures of 4 for 38.

This victory sent Australia home and took India to the Semifinal, where they would eventually lose to West Indies by 6 wickets. South Africa won the inaugural edition, beating West Indies by 4 wickets.