The ICC Champions Trophy is regarded as one of the toughest tournaments in international cricket. Unlike the World Cup, which offers more league matches and gives teams a chance to recover from a few losses, the Champions Trophy holds the risk of elimination after just one defeat in the entire competition.
However, the tournament has faced calls for its removal, with critics claiming that it diminishes the significance of the 50-over World Cup. While the Champions Trophy was not held in 2021, it made a comeback in 2025.
5. Sourav Ganguly – 665 Runs
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly was one of the most successful Indian batsmen in ICC tournaments. Over his 15-year ODI career, Ganguly scored 665 runs in 13 Champions Trophy innings, with an average of 73 and a strike rate of 83. One of his standout performances came in the 2000 semi-final against South Africa, where he scored 141 runs to help India secure a spot in the final.
4. Kumar Sangakkara – 683 Runs
Regarded as one of the greatest wicket-keeper batsmen of all time, Kumar Sangakkara was a dependable force for Sri Lanka across all formats. The former captain scored 683 runs in 22 Champions Trophy innings at an average of 37.54 and a strike rate of 71.96, including one century and four half-centuries.
3. Shikhar Dhawan – 701 Runs
Shikhar Dhawan is considered one of India’s most underrated batsmen in ODI cricket. Since his debut in 2010, Dhawan consistently delivered for India in ICC tournaments. He scored 701 runs in 10 Champions Trophy innings at an average of 77 and a strike rate of 101.6. Dhawan played a key role in India’s second Champions Trophy win in 2013, finishing as the tournament’s top run-scorer with 363 runs, and topped the run chart again in the 2017 edition.
2. Mahela Jayawardene – 742 Runs
A Sri Lankan legend, Mahela Jayawardene was a consistent performer across all formats. In the Champions Trophy, he scored 742 runs in 22 innings at an average of 41.22 and a strike rate of 84.80. Jayawardene was pivotal in Sri Lanka’s victory in the 2002 Champions Trophy, where they were crowned joint winners with India.
1. Chris Gayle – 791 Runs
West Indies opener Chris Gayle leads the list with 791 runs in 17 Champions Trophy innings, averaging 52.73 with a strike rate of 88.72. Gayle holds the record for the most centuries in the tournament, with three to his name. His highest score came in the 2006 edition when he blasted 133 runs off 135 balls against South Africa.