Introduction
Let’s take a look at the top batsmen of all time in the tournament. These are the players who have dominated this cricketing event, scoring centuries and helping their teams to victory as per data from latest news regarding cricket:
Sachin Tendulkar
When it comes to the ICC Champions Trophy, there is no batsman more iconic than Sachin Tendulkar. The “Little Master” has scored more runs in the tournament than any other player, and his performances have been nothing short of spectacular.
Tendulkar’s first ICC Champions Trophy came in 1998, and he didn’t disappoint, scoring a century against Sri Lanka. He went on to play in the tournament again in 2002, 2006, 2009 and 2013, and his record is nothing short of impressive. In total, he has scored 983 runs at an average of 58.14, with two centuries and six half-centuries.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni
You might be surprised to see Indian cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni on this list, but hear me out.
Dhoni is one of the most successful batsmen in ICC Champions Trophy history. He has scored 2,187 runs in 21 matches at an impressive batting average of 52.92. What’s more, he has a phenomenal strike rate of 88.37, making him a serious threat to any bowling lineup.
So why is Dhoni so high up on this list? It’s because his record in ICC Champions Trophy is unparalleled. He has scored more runs than any other player in the competition and is the only batsman to have scored a century in the tournament.
Brian Lara
West Indian batting great Brian Lara makes it into our top 10 ICC Champions Trophy batsmen of all time. He is one of the most prolific run-scorers in the history of the game, with over 19,000 runs to his name in Test cricket alone.
Lara was a master of the big innings, and he proved his worth on the biggest stage of all by scoring a staggering 375 not out against England in 2004—the highest individual score in any form of international cricket. He also has two ICC Champions Trophy centuries to his name and was an integral part of the West Indies side that won the tournament in 2004.
Kumar Sangakkara
At number four on the list of the Top 10 ICC Champions Trophy Batsmen of All Time, we have Kumar Sangakkara. An excellent batsman who made his debut in the 2003 Champions Trophy and represented Sri Lanka in the tournament five times, Sangakkara is no stranger to success. He has scored 1,102 runs in 116 matches and holds the record for most centuries with 11. His career-best performance came against India in 2006 where he scored an unbeaten 189 runs off just 145 deliveries.
He is well known for his attacking stroke play and ability to adapt to different conditions. With an impressive average of 45.63 and a strike rate of 94.63, Sangakkara is undoubtedly one of the best Champions Trophy batsmen of all time.
Virender Sehwag
Coming in at number five on our list is the legendary Indian batsman, Virender Sehwag. Sehwag was the opening batsman for India during the ICC Champions Trophy in 2002, where he scored an impressive 293 runs during the tournament. He was also one of the most consistent performers with an average of 39.85, making him one of the top 10 batsmen of all time.
Sehwag was known for his aggressive strokeplay and his ability to score quick runs, which allowed him to dominate bowlers and put pressure on opposing teams. His strong batting performance in the ICC Champions Trophy cemented his reputation as one of India’s greatest batsmen and earned him a spot in cricketing history.
Virat Kohli
In sixth place, we have Virat Kohli. With an impressive career spanning over a decade and the captaincy of the Indian cricket team, it’s no surprise that Kohli has made it to this list! The right-handed batsman has earned himself a reputation for being an exceptional player in the ICC Champions Trophy, scoring more than 1,200 runs in 15 matches overall.
What makes him stand out from other players is his ability to take on any challenge thrown at him. Whether it’s scoring double centuries against Australia or fighting back against strong opponents like New Zealand, Kohli always puts his best foot forward and goes above and beyond what’s expected of him. His sheer determination and focus on the game is something that deserves immense praise.
Shahid Afridi
Coming in at number 7 on our list of the top 10 ICC Champions Trophy batsmen of all time is Shahid Afridi. Ever since his unforgettable debut in the 1996 edition of the tournament, he has been one of the most reliable players in Pakistan’s batting lineup.
Throughout his successful 14-year career, Afridi has played several match-winning innings in the Champions Trophy and one of the lasting images cricket fans have of him is when he scored a half-century off just 20 deliveries against South Africa in the 2009 edition.
He has also been successful against spinners, scoring heavily against bowlers like Anil Kumble and Muttiah Muralitharan. His incredible batting skills have earned him a place amongst the top 10 ICC Champions Trophy batsmen of all time.
Sourav Ganguly
Coming in at eighth place is none other than the ever-popular former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly. The ‘Prince of Calcutta’ as he was known, thoroughly enjoyed his ICC Champions Trophy campaigns, amassing 554 runs over the course of 13 matches. His average of 50.36 for that period is an outstanding testament to his batting prowess and his ability to score consistently high runs regardless of the situation. Although he did not manage to lift the trophy during his career, he remains an iconic figure in Indian cricket history and one of the best ICC Champions Trophy batsmen of all time.
Jacques Kallis
Last but certainly not least, we have Jacques Kallis—a legendary batsman that needs no introduction. Playing for the South African team from 1996 to 2014, he was the ICC Champions Trophy’s top run-scorer of all time with an impressive 1,751 runs—including five centuries and seven half-centuries.
Kallis had a fantastic batting technique that allowed him to send the ball in any direction he wanted. His natural ability and game awareness made him one of the most feared batsmen of all time. He was also a brilliant fielder and part-time bowler, making him a true allrounder in cricketing circles.
There’s no doubt that Jacques Kallis will always be remembered as one of the greatest ICC Champions Trophy batsmen ever.
