The 2025 Champions Trophy is set to begin in a few hours, with hosts Pakistan facing New Zealand in the opening match on Wednesday, February 19, at Karachi’s National Stadium. Meanwhile, Team India will play their first game against Bangladesh on Thursday, February 20, at the Dubai International Stadium.
India‘s much-anticipated clash against arch-rivals Pakistan is scheduled for Sunday, February 23, followed by their final group-stage match against New Zealand on March 2. Notably, all of India’s matches in the tournament will take place in Dubai.
In the 2017 edition, India fell short in the final against Pakistan. This time, they will aim to go all the way and claim the title. As they prepare for their opener against Bangladesh, this article revisits India’s performances in Champions Trophy opening matches over the years.
Team India’s Record in Champions Trophy Opening Matches
#1 India vs Australia in 1998
India faced Australia in their opening match of the 1998 ICC Champions Trophy (then Wills International Cup) in Dhaka. Batting first, India scored 307/8, led by Sachin Tendulkar’s 141 and Ajay Jadeja’s 71, while Mark Waugh top-scored for Australia with 74. Tendulkar shone with the ball, claiming four wickets as India bowled out Australia for 263 to win by 44 runs.
#2 India vs Kenya in 2000
In the 2000 Champions Trophy, India faced Kenya in a pre-quarterfinal in Nairobi. Kenya posted 208/9, with Ravi Shah (60) and Maurice Odumbe (51) scoring fifties, while Zaheer Khan took three wickets. India comfortably chased the target, as Sourav Ganguly (66) and Rahul Dravid (68*) led them to an eight-wicket win with 45 balls to spare.
#3 India vs Zimbabwe in 2002
In the 2002 Champions Trophy, India faced Zimbabwe in Colombo. Batting first, India scored 288/6, led by Mohammad Kaif’s unbeaten 111 and Rahul Dravid’s 71. Andy Flower’s 145 kept Zimbabwe in the chase, but they fell 14 runs short at 274/8. Zaheer Khan starred with four wickets.
#4 India vs Kenya 2004
In the 2004 Champions Trophy, India faced Kenya in Southampton. Batting first, India posted 290/4, powered by Sourav Ganguly’s 90 and VVS Laxman’s 79. Kenya managed only 192/7 in reply, falling 98 runs short, with Harbhajan Singh taking three wickets.
#5 India vs England in 2006
In the 2006 Champions Trophy opener, India bowled out England for 125 in Jaipur, with Munaf Patel and Ramesh Powar taking three wickets each. India chased the target comfortably, winning by four wickets, led by Virender Sehwag’s 35 and Yuvraj Singh’s unbeaten 27.
#6 India vs Pakistan in 2009
In the 2009 Champions Trophy opener, India faced Pakistan in Centurion. Batting first, Pakistan posted 302/9, led by Shoaib Malik’s 128 and Mohammad Yousuf’s 87, while Ashish Nehra took four wickets. In reply, Gautam Gambhir (57), Rahul Dravid (76), and Suresh Raina (46) fought hard, but India were bowled out for 248, losing by 54 runs.
#7 India vs South Africa in 2013
In the 2013 Champions Trophy opener, India faced South Africa in Cardiff. Shikhar Dhawan’s 114 and Rohit Sharma’s 65 powered India to 331/7. Despite fifties from Robin Peterson (68), AB de Villiers (70), and Ryan McLaren (71*), South Africa were bowled out for 305, losing by 26 runs.
#8 India vs Pakistan in 2017
In the 2017 Champions Trophy opener, India faced Pakistan in Birmingham. Shikhar Dhawan (68), Rohit Sharma (91), Virat Kohli (81), and Yuvraj Singh (53) powered India to 319/3. Chasing a revised target of 289 (DLS), Pakistan struggled and were bowled out for 164, losing by 124 runs. Umesh Yadav took three wickets.
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