ICC Champions Trophy: The Journey from a KnockOut Event to a Prestigious Tournament
The ICC Champions Trophy started in 1998 as the ICC KnockOut Tournament and was originally designed to raise funds for the development of cricket in non-traditional cricketing nations. The tournament was organized by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and featured the top cricket teams from around the world. Later in 2002 the ICC KnockOut Tournament was renamed the ICC Champions Trophy to reflect its evolving format and growing prestige. The shift from a knockout-only format to a group-stage format allowed teams to play more matches, preventing early eliminations of big teams and increasing audience engagement. The rebranding also enhanced marketability , making it more appealing to sponsors and broadcasters, while positioning the event as a "mini World Cup." The ICC aimed to establish it as a second major ODI tournament , ensuring greater global reach and competitiveness in international cricket. Origins and Evolution: Current Status The tournament wa...