Published By: Sayan Guha

Champions Trophy: A Tournament That Struggled to Find Its Place!

Scrapped, revived, and still searching for stability—why the Champions Trophy has struggled to find its place in world cricket

The ICC Champions Trophy has been regarded as a valuable relic, often admired, sometimes overlooked, and even discarded. Since its inception in 1998, this competition has fluctuated between being a major event and an afterthought on cricket's congested schedule. It has experienced several format changes, scheduling adjustments, and outright cancellations.

Despite its tumultuous history, the Champions Trophy is set to return after eight years in 2025, eager to reclaim its place in the cricketing world. But why has this competition struggled to maintain consistency? Let us turn back time.

The birth of the Mini World Cup

The ICC, cricket's governing body, initially launched the Champions Trophy as the Knockout Trophy in 1998. What's the idea? A fast-paced event to generate revenue for developing cricket in non-Test-playing countries. The first two editions were held in Bangladesh and Kenya, giving these emerging cricket nations a taste of top-tier competition.

However, as the event progressed, so did its purpose. By 2002, it had transformed into a Mini World Cup, featuring all full-member teams and a more structured playing format. With high-quality cricket on display, the Champions Trophy began to gain popularity.

The problem was that it lacked a distinct identity. The tournament's framework closely resembled that of the ODI World Cup, making it difficult for fans to perceive it as anything other than a shorter version of an already well-established spectacle.

From frequent fixtures to fading away

The Champions Trophy was previously held every two years. However, in 2006, the ICC decided to space it out, transforming it into a quadrennial tournament. What's the rationale? To avoid overloading the cricket schedule with too many similar events.

The 2009 event, which was relocated from Pakistan to South Africa due to security concerns, followed shortly after. Just four years later, following India's triumphant campaign in 2013, speculations about altogether cancelling the competition gained momentum. The ICC believed conducting the Champions Trophy and the World Cup in the 50-over format was redundant.

By 2017, the event was nearing its conclusion. Pakistan, the eventual winner, lifted the trophy in what seemed to be its final edition. The ICC had chosen to concentrate entirely on the World Cup for One-Day Internationals, thereby ending the Champions Trophy—or so it appeared.

A sudden resurrection: The 2025 comeback

Just when everyone thought the Champions Trophy was over, the ICC reversed its decision. The tournament's return was announced in 2021, with PAK and the UAE set to host the 2025 edition. However, this revival hasn't been without its share of turmoil.

India is reluctant to travel to PAK, so the competition will be held at different venues, providing a hybrid model that will accommodate all participating countries. This reappearance has sparked a debate: is it a new beginning or merely a fleeting moment before the Champions Trophy fades away once more?

Why has the Champions Trophy struggled?

The Champions Trophy's inconsistency can be traced to several key factors:

Identity crisis: It is often regarded as a Mini World Cup, lacking a distinctive appeal.

Scheduling conflicts: Initially played every two years, it was later changed to four and eventually discontinued altogether. Such irregularity has made it challenging for both fans and teams to take it seriously.

Changing priorities: The ICC's focus has shifted towards the T20 format, diminishing the significance of a second ODI event.

Format adjustments: The number of teams, qualification rules, and tournament structure have been modified numerous times, resulting in confusion and inconsistency.

Will the 2025 edition restore its glory?

The Champions Trophy has experienced a tumultuous past, but 2025 presents a new opportunity. With a condensed format featuring only the top eight teams, the competition promises high-intensity cricket without extended interruptions.

Its future hinges on establishing itself alongside the ODI and T20 World Cups. Can it carve out its own identity, or will it diminish into obscurity?