Champions Trophy records and statistics – top run-scorer in each of the 8 tournaments
While cricket was traditionally about a fair contest between bat and ball, in more recent times white-ball cricket has become biased in favour of the batters.
Is this simply a perception or is it true? With the ICC Champions Trophy set to start in Pakistan on Wednesday, let’s use the opportunity to look back on the competition over the years to see who the leading run-scorer at each of the eight previous editions of the tournament was.
It will be interesting to see if their averages have increased markedly over the passage of the last 27 years.
What is also interesting to note is that each of the players on this list, with just one exception, was an opening batsman.
1. Bangladesh, 1998 – Philo Wallace (West Indies)
221 runs | average: 73.66 | strike rate: 107.80
The first-ever ICC Knock Out Trophy (as it was then called) saw West Indies’ Philo Wallace emerge as the leading run-getter.
A powerful opening batter, Wallace dominated attacks with an aggressive strike rate of 107.80—an impressive figure considering the era. His attacking approach was a sign of things to come in white-ball cricket.
2. Kenya, 2000 – Sourav Ganguly (India)
348 runs | average: 116.00 | strike rate: 83.85
The 2000 edition in Kenya belonged to India’s captain, Sourav Ganguly.
He was in sublime form, scoring three centuries in the tournament, the most by any batter in a single Champions Trophy edition. With a staggering average of 116.00, Ganguly led India to the final, showcasing the value of consistency in an ODI tournament.
3. Sri Lanka, 2002 – Virender Sehwag (India)
271 runs | average: 90.33 | strike rate: 120.44
Known for his fearless approach, Virender Sehwag lit up the 2002 tournament with his attacking stroke play. His strike rate of 120.44 was remarkable for the time and showed his ability to dominate bowling attacks.
Although the tournament ended with joint winners due to rain-affected finals, Sehwag’s performance stood out as a testament to India’s aggressive batting evolution.
Also read: Top 10 highest scores on ODI debut – Matthew Breetzke beats Desmond Haynes’ world record
4. England, 2004 – Marcus Trescothick (England)
261 runs | average: 65.25 | strike rate: 80.30
England’s Marcus Trescothick was the leading run-scorer in 2004, blending solidity with aggression.
His performances were instrumental in England’s run to the final, and his ability to anchor the innings while maintaining a healthy strike rate made him one of England’s most reliable ODI batters of the time.
5. India, 2006 – Chris Gayle (West Indies)
474 runs | average: 79.00 | strike rate: 92.94
Chris Gayle dominated the 2006 edition with his sheer power and elegance. Amassing 474 runs, he remains the highest run-scorer in a single Champions Trophy edition.
His ability to take on any bowling attack at a strike rate of nearly 93 showcased his destructive batting prowess, paving the way for the rise of power-hitting in ODIs.
6. South Africa, 2009 – Ricky Ponting (Australia)
288 runs | average: 72.00 | strike rate: 78.68
The only batsman on this list who was not an opener – Ponting traditionally came in at three – Australian captain Ricky Ponting was in sublime form in the 2009 edition, guiding his team to another ICC trophy.
His ability to rotate the strike and find gaps while maintaining a healthy average showed his class. Although his strike rate was relatively lower, his controlled aggression made him a key figure in Australia’s success.
7. England, 2013 – Shikhar Dhawan (India)
363 runs | average: 90.75 | strike rate: 101.39
Shikhar Dhawan was the star of the 2013 Champions Trophy, leading India to the title with a superb batting display.
His aggressive yet composed approach saw him score two centuries, and his strike rate of over 101 highlighted the evolution of ODI batting. India’s success was built on his strong starts at the top of the order.
8. England, 2017 – Shikhar Dhawan (India)
338 runs | average: 67.60 | strike rate: 101.80
Four years later, Dhawan repeated his heroics in England, once again finishing as the top scorer in the tournament.
His ability to perform on the big stage and maintain an impressive strike rate of 101.80 further demonstrated the shift in ODI cricket towards higher scoring rates and aggressive batting.
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