A look back at India's 2009 Champions Trophy campaign
What's the story
The "mini World Cup," ICC Champions Trophy is one of the most prestigious ODI tournaments in cricket history. The 2025 edition of the tournament will kick-off on February 19, with Pakistan as the original hosts and India playing their matches in Dubai. Over the years, India's journey in this tournament has been a roller-coaster ride of victories and heartbreaks. Here we revisit India's 2009 Champions Trophy campaign.
Initial victory
India's 2009 Champions Trophy campaign
India's 2009 campaign in the Champions Trophy ended in disappointment as they couldn't make it past the group stage. Notably, South Africa were the hosts of the tournament. While MS Dhoni's men lost to Pakistan in their opener, their next clash against Australia got abandoned. They couldn't qualify for the semi-finals despite defeating West Indies in their final game.
Indo-PAK
India's defeat to Pakistan
Pakistan's pace attack once again haunted India's batting line up, helping Pakistan register a 54-run victory in Centurion. Mohammad Yousuf (87) and Shoaib Malik (128) put on a fantastic 206 run partnership to guide Pakistan to 302/9 in first innings. While India got a good start from Gautam Gambhir (57) and Rahul Dravid (76), and then a sensational knock from Suresh Raina (41), some insensible shots cost India the match.
IND vs WI
Win against West Indies in dead rubber
The abandoned game against the Aussies knocked India out of the semi-final race. They met West Indies in a dead rubber and recorded a seven-wicket win. The Men in Maroon were folded for 129 while batting first as pacers Ashish Nehra and Praveen Kumar dismissed three batters each in Centurion. Though India lost two early wickets in response, Virat Kohli's 79* helped them prevail in 32.1 overs.