2013 ICC Champions Trophy Review - ODI cricket gets a much needed boost

So, the “last” edition of the ICC Champions Trophy finally came to an end, thanks to what was a rain-curtailed final. In what was a shambolic scheduling by the ICC, there was no reserve day for any of the matches, including the final and at one time it really seemed as if the trophy would have to be shared for the second time in tournament history. But kudos to the ground staff as in spite of the heavy downpour, they dried the pitch and made it suitable enough for 20-overs a side match. And what a thrilling final to bid adieu to the Champions Trophy!

From Group A, hosts England and 2011 World Cup finalists Sri Lanka qualified for the semifinals, with England topping the group ahead of the Islanders by virtue of superior net run-rate. Defending champions Australia continued their miserable form, finishing at bottom and without a single win, while cross-Tasman rivals New Zealand, whose semifinal qualification depended on an unlikely Aussie victory over Sri Lanka, were left disappointed as well. For Australia, skipper Michael Clarke missed out all 3 games due to a back injury while in a notable off-field incident, opener David Warner punched England’s Joe Root, resulting in former being banned from playing till the Ashes.

In Group B, India breezed through the group stage, winning all their matches comprehensively, including the high-voltage clash against Pakistan. South Africa joined the Men in Blue in semifinals courtesy of a Duckworth-Lewis victory over the West Indies, who finished 3rd. Pakistan, meanwhile, lost all 3 matches and were the first team to be eliminated from the competition.

Both semifinals were one-sided affairs as England once again ‘choked’ South Africa and India defeated Sri Lanka, in what was a rematch from the 2011 World Cup final, winning by 7 and 8 wickets respectively.

Thus hosts England and world champions India moved to Edgbaston for the final of the final Champions Trophy, which was, unfortunately, another rain affected match and was started after much delay, resulting in it being a 20-over a side affair. In what proved to be a low-scoring thriller, India prevailed by 5 runs, thus earning themselves the moniker of being “champions of Champions”.

Many were predicting demise of one-day internationals, but the 2011 World Cup proved them wrong. The last-ever Champions Trophy consolidated the fact that one-day cricket is here to stay. The tournament was successful to such an extent that the ICC is said to be reconsidering its decision of scrapping the event. The tournament was successful and 12 out of 15 matches were sold out. On another note, the ICC should realise that although the tournament was successful, they erred on their part by not having reserve days for any of the matches and try to rectify this mistake in future.

Among the teams, England showed everyone that they should be taken seriously in ODIs with a respectable run to the final while Sri Lanka maintained their consistency of making it to the knock out stages of ICC tournaments. Australia played poorly, but to be fair to them, they were in a good position to go over New Zealand before rain made sure that points would be shared. They need to make serious improvements to pose any challenge to England in the forthcoming Ashes. West Indies need to be consistent in ODIs, although they themselves were on course to a win over South Africa before a cruel twist of fate. South Africa, though semi-finalists, could not shed their choker’s tag while Pakistan were, well, Pakistan.

Team India was the best team of the tournament and also consolidated its position as the world’s best ODI side. Although it was a complete team effort, Shikhar Dhawan and “Sir” Ravindra Jadeja were the chief architects. Dhawan emerged as the highest run scorer with 363 runs at 90.75 including 2 centuries while Jadeja finally put to an end all jokes on him with a tournament high 12 wickets and also chipping in with valuable 80 runs, including some crucial late bursts against South Africa and later England in the final.

Dhoni’s gamble in the final of persisting with the hitherto unimpressive Ishant Sharma proved to be a master stroke. Also, dedicating this win to flood victims back home was a nice gesture by Shikhar Dhawan. They now travel to West Indies for a tri-series also involving Sri Lanka. Considering their form, winning this one should not be too tough for them.