On June 23, 2013, cricket fans at Edgbaston and around the world held their breath as rain delayed the much‑anticipated Champions Trophy final between India and England. What began as a gloomy day soon turned electrifying. The match was reduced to a T20-style 20-over contest.
What followed was more than a cricket match. It was a test of nerves, skill, and strategic brilliance.
In the end, India eked out a five‑run victory, adding a second Champions Trophy to their cabinet. The game would be remembered not just for its outcome, but for the way it was won.
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Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja Stars in Champions Trophy 2013 Final
England won the toss and opted to field.
When India batted first, wickets kept on tumbling. Rohit Sharma fell for nine and Shikhar Dhawan’s dismissal in the ninth over triggered a collapse, reducing India from 50/1 to 66/5.
Enter Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja. Kohli did not buckle under pressure and rose to the occasion. His 43 runs off 34 balls and a 47-run partnership with Jadeja, who himself scored an unbeaten 25-ball 33, gave Indian bowlers something to fight for.
Without their contributions, India’s 129/7 at the end of 20 overs might never have materialized.
England lost early wickets and were languishing at 46/4 in the ninth over. However, Eoin Morgan and Ravi Bopara stitched a 64-run stand. The hosts needed just 20 runs off 16 deliveries with six wickets in hand.
Ishant Sharma conceded a six in the 18th over and then bowled two wides. He was under the pump but dismissed Morgan on the third ball and followed it up with Bopara in the same over. Two wickets in consecutive deliveries at a pivotal stage dismantled England’s resolve and tilted the equilibrium sharply.
From there, the Indian spinners, Ravichandran Ashwin and Jadeja, tightened the screws. England needed 15 runs to win off the final over. Ashwin conceded just nine, sealing India’s victory by five runs as captain MS Dhoni jumped in jubilation.
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MS Dhoni Becomes First Captain to Win All Three ICC White-Ball Titles
This win marked India’s first sole Champions Trophy title and bolstered Dhoni’s legacy as the only captain to win the ICC T20 World Cup, ICC ODI World Cup, and ICC Champions Trophy.
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