Sourav Ganguly's consecutive centuries headlined India's 2000 Champions Trophy campaign
What's the story
India are among the teams to watch out for in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, which is all set to kick off from February 19. Pakistan and UAE are the co-hosts of the competition. The Indian side has had a mixed bag of performances at the tournament since its inception in 1998. Here we look at how India fared in the second edition of the tournament over the in 2000, which took place in Kenya.
IND vs KEN
Easy win over Kenya
India beat Kenya by eight wickets in the tournament opener. It was the pre-quarter-final game as the hosts were restricted to 208/9 while batting first in Nairobi. While debutant Zaheer Khan (3/48) was the pick of the Indian bowlers, Ajit Agarkar, Venkatesh Prasad, and Anil Kumble dismissed two batters each. In reply, India prevailed in 42.3 overs thanks to captain Sourav Ganguly (66) and Rahul Dravid (68*).
IND vs AUS
Win over the mighty Australians
India then won the quarter-finals against Australia, courtesy emerging talents Yuvraj Singh and Zaheer. The former scored a 80-ball 84 in his maiden ODI innings as the Men in Blue finished at 265/9. He was the only Indian to cross the 40-run mark that day. The Aussies were folded for 245 in response as pacers Agarkar, Venkatesh, and Zaheer took two wickets each.
IND vs SA
Ganguly powers India against SA
Captain Sourav Ganguly, displayed his class against South Africa in the semi-final match. The southpaw first played second fiddle to his opening partner Sachin Tendulkar, adding 66 runs. Ganguly accelarated after getting settled as he went on to smash a daddy hundred, 141* off 142 balls. Dravid also played a crucial role, scoring 58 runs in a 145-run second-wicket partnership with Ganguly. Their brilliance meant India posted 295/6. SA were bundled out for 200 in response.
IND vs NZ
Defeat versus NZ
India met New Zealand in the final clash and posted 264/6 while batting first. Ganguly starred with his second successive hundred, 117 off 130 balls. Tendulkar also made 69 runs. However, the Kiwi bowlers bounced back as India went from 141/0 to finishing 264/6. In a thrilling chase, NZ prevailed with just two balls to spare as Chris Cairns made a brilliant 102*. Venkatesh dismissed three batters.
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Ganguly topped the run-scoring charts
While Ganguly finished the event with 348 runs at 116, no other batter could even manage 210 runs. Meanwhile, Venkatesh finished as India's highest wicket-taker of the event with eight wickets at 21.37. Zaheer was right behind him with seven scalps at 24.14.