ODI Cricket is unarguably the most entertaining format of cricket, with Champions Trophy and World Cup being major events in 50-over format. The ICC Champions trophy has witnessed some of the great individual performances, especially in batting. So, in this article, we will discuss 'Top 10 Knocks played by the Batters in chases in the Champions Trophy'.
1. Andy Flower
Andy Flower was one of the finest batter from Zimbabwe and could easily walk into any all-time team of Zimbabwe. Flower played one of the best knocks of his career against India in the 2002 ICC Champions Trophy, smashing a century. Chasing 289 runs, with a score reaching 43-2, he put together a 84-run partnership with Grant Flower. In his 164-ball knock, Flower scored 145 runs, hitting 13 boundaries. Notably, this came in a losing cause.
2. Graeme Smith
Graeme Smith was one of the finest batter from South Africa and could easily walk into any all-time team of South Africa. Smith played one of the best knocks of his career against England in the 2009 ICC Champions Trophy, smashing a century. Chasing a massive 324 runs, with a score reaching 64-2, he put together a 78-run partnership with AB de Villiers. In his 134-ball knock, Smith scored 141 runs, hitting 16 boundaries. Notably, this came in a losing cause.
3. Shane Watson
Shane Watson was one of the finest all-rounders from Australia and could easily walk into any all-time team of Australia. Watson played one of the best knocks of his career against England in the semi-final the 2009 ICC Champions Trophy, smashing a century. Chasing 258 runs, with a score reaching 6-1, he put together a 252-run partnership with Ricky Ponting. In his 132-ball knock, Watson scored 136 runs, hitting 10 boundaries and 7 gigantic sixes.
4. Kumar Sangakkara
Kumar Sangakkara was one of the finest batter from Sri Lanka and could easily walk into any all-time team. Sangakkara played one of the best knocks of his career against England in the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy, smashing a century. Chasing 294 runs, with a score reaching 187-3, he put together a 110-run partnership with Nuwan Kulasekara. In his 135-ball knock, Sangakkara scored 134 runs, hitting 12 boundaries.
5. Chris Gayle
Chris Gayle was one of the finest batter from West Indies and could easily walk into any all-time team. Gayle played one of the best knocks of his career against South Africa in the semi-final of the 2006 ICC Champions Trophy, smashing a century. Chasing 259 runs, he put together a 154-run opening partnership with Shivnarine Chanderpaul. In his 135-ball knock, Gayle scored 133 runs, hitting 17 boundaries and 3 gigantic sixes.
6. Virender Sehwag
Virender Sehwag was one of the most destructive batter from India and could easily walk into any all-time team. Sehwag played one of the best knocks of his career against England in the 2002 ICC Champions Trophy, smashing a century. Chasing 270 runs, he put together a 192-run opening partnership with Sourav Ganguly. In his 104-ball knock, Sehwag scored 126 runs, hitting 21 boundaries and a gigantic six.
7. Joe Root
Joe Root is one of the finest batters from England and one of the best top order batter from England. Root played one of the best knocks of his career against Bangladesh in the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy, smashing a century. Chasing 306 runs, with a score reaching 6-2, he put together a 159-run partnership with Alex Hales. In his 129-ball knock, Root scored 133 runs, hitting 11 boundaries and a gigantic six.
8. Herschelle Gibbs
Herschelle Gibbs was one of the finest batters from South Africa and one of the best top order batter from South Africa. Gibbs played one of the best knocks of his career against India in the semi-final of the 2002 ICC Champions Trophy, smashing a century. Chasing 262 runs, with a score reaching 14-1, he put together a 178-run partnership with Jacques Kallis. In his 119-ball knock, Gibbs scored 116 runs, hitting 16 boundaries. Notably, Gibbs was retired hurt at a score of 192 runs and this knock came in a losing cause.
9. Sanath Jayasuriya
Sanath Jayasuriya was one of the most destructive batter of his era and was one of the finest batter from Sri Lanka. Jayasuriya played one of the best knocks of his career against Pakistan in the 2002 ICC Champions Trophy, smashing a century. Chasing 201 runs, with a score reaching 45-2, he put together a 156-run partnership with Aravinda de Silva. In his 120-ball knock, Jayasuriya scored 102 runs, hitting 10 boundaries.
10. Shakib Al Hasan
Shakib Al Hasan is one of the finest all-rounders of this era and could easily walk into any all-time team. Shakib played one of the best knocks of his career against New Zealand in the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy, smashing a century. Chasing 266 runs, with a score reaching 33-4, he put together a 222-run partnership with Mahmudullah. In his 115-ball knock, Shakib scored 114 runs, hitting 11 boundaries and a gigantic six.
