5 Batters With Most Runs In Champions Trophy History
Shikhar Dhawan has been prolific in Champions Trophy (X)
The ICC Champions Trophy, often hailed as the 'Mini World Cup,' has been a breeding ground for cricketing brilliance. Over the years, the tournament has delivered some unforgettable moments, with batters taking centre stage, carrying the weight of their teams on their shoulders.
In this fierce battleground, a few have risen head and shoulders above the rest, piling on runs when it mattered most. This competition has always separated the wheat from the chaff, and these five run-getters have proven time and again that they belong in the upper levels of cricketing greatness.
With the Champions Trophy 2025 approaching rapidly, here's a closer look at the top five run-getters in the tournament's history:
5. Sourav Ganguly (India) – 665 Runs
Sourav Ganguly (India) – 665 Runs (X)
Sourav Ganguly, known as the 'Prince of Kolkata,' had a regal presence at the crease and was as fearless as they come. With 665 runs in 13 matches at a jaw-dropping average of 73.88, Ganguly made sure that when India needed runs, he was there to answer the call. His strike rate of 85.92 along with three fifties and as many hundreds further highlights his aggressive yet calculated approach.
The 2000 edition saw Ganguly at his vintage best, where his unbeaten 141* in the semi-final against South Africa was a masterclass in stroke play. It was a knock that sent bowlers packing and left spectators gasping in awe. Ganguly had a knack for leading from the front, taking the bull by the horns, and his performances in the Champions Trophy epitomized his fighting spirit.
4. Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) – 683 Runs
Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) – 683 Runs (X)
Kumar Sangakkara was the backbone of Sri Lanka’s batting lineup in the ICC Champions Trophy, amassing 683 runs in 22 matches at an average of 37.94. His calm, composed style made him a master at anchoring innings, as seen in his highest score of 134* against England in 2006.
Sangakkara's ability to switch between steady accumulation and aggressive stroke play made him a constant thorn for bowlers. With one century and four half-centuries, he was the steady hand Sri Lanka often relied on, proving that when the going gets tough, the tough get going.
3. Shikhar Dhawan (India) – 701 Runs
Shikhar Dhawan (India) – 701 Runs (X)
If ever there was a man for the big occasion, it’s Shikhar Dhawan. The Indian opener has the uncanny ability to rise like a phoenix when the stakes are highest. In just 10 Champions Trophy matches, Dhawan amassed 701 runs at an eye-watering average of 77.88, with a scorching strike rate of 101.59.
Dhawan’s two centuries in the 2013 edition, including a blistering 114 against South Africa, were instrumental in India’s march to victory. He topped the run charts in both the 2013 and 2017 editions, becoming the tournament's talisman. When the chips were down, Dhawan delivered, showing that he truly thrives under the spotlight, taking his team across the finish line like clockwork.
2. Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka) – 742 Runs
Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka) – 742 Runs (X)
Grace, poise, and precision—Mahela Jayawardene’s batting was nothing short of poetry in motion. With 742 runs in 22 matches, Jayawardene anchored Sri Lanka's innings time and again, like a captain steering a ship through stormy waters. Averaging 41.22 with a strike rate of 84.80, he was a rock for Sri Lanka during some of their most crucial moments in the tournament.
Jayawardene's highest knock of 84 in the rain-affected 2002 final against India proved his mettle under pressure. Though the final was washed out, Jayawardene’s calm and collected approach underlined his ability to stay cool as a cucumber, guiding Sri Lanka to safety time after time. His sheer elegance made him a delight to watch, even in the most challenging conditions.
1. Chris Gayle (West Indies) – 791 Runs
Chris Gayle (West Indies) – 791 Runs (X)
When it comes to Chris Gayle, no introduction is needed. The 'Universe Boss' sits comfortably at the summit of the highest run-scorers in ICC Champions Trohy history. With a staggering 791 runs in just 17 matches, Gayle's power-packed performances are etched in the history of the tournament. Averaging 52.73 with a strike rate of 88.77, he brought bowlers to their knees time and again.
Gayle’s flair for hitting the ball out of the park was on full display in the 2006 edition, where his unbeaten 133* against South Africa tore the opposition apart like a hot knife through butter. Gayle's ability to dominate even the most fearsome bowling attacks makes him an unrivalled figure in Champions Trophy history.