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1998 Champions Trophy: When India Announced Themselves
Relive India’s historic 1998 Champions Trophy debut against Australia. See Sachin’s heroics and discover what the playing XI is doing today. From Ganguly to Dravid, where are the legends now?
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1998 Champions Trophy: India is gearing up to kick off its Champions Trophy 2025 campaign on Thursday, February 20, in Dubai. Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, the squad boasts seasoned veterans like Virat Kohli, Mohammed Shami, Ravindra Jadeja, and Hardik Pandya. Rising stars such as Shubman Gill and Arshdeep Singh add fresh energy, making India a formidable contender.
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But before diving into this year’s tournament, let’s rewind to 1998—the year India first stepped onto the Champions Trophy stage. It was a different era. No T20s. No high-tech analytics. Just raw talent and a hunger to win.
The Match That Started It All
India’s Champions Trophy journey began on October 28, 1998, with a quarterfinal clash against Australia in Dhaka. The result? A dominant 44-run victory, thanks to a masterclass from the one and only Sachin Tendulkar.
He didn’t just bat. He dominated.
Tendulkar’s sensational 141-run knock propelled India to a strong total of 307. And as if that wasn’t enough, he turned the game with the ball too, picking up 4/38. The Indian bowling attack did the rest, bundling out Australia for 263.
Now, let’s take a trip down memory lane and see where the heroes of that historic match are today.
India’s Playing XI in 1998 Champions Trophy: Where Are They Now?
Top-Order: Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar, Mohammad Azharuddin (C)
- Sourav Ganguly – A brief stay at the crease, dismissed for just one run by Michael Kasprowicz. Today? He’s a powerhouse in cricket administration, recently appointed Director of Cricket at JSW Sports, managing teams like Delhi Capitals and Pretoria Capitals.
- Sachin Tendulkar – The hero of the match. A stunning century, four wickets, and a Player of the Match award. Now, he’s mentoring Mumbai Indians in the IPL and preparing to play for India Masters in IMLT20 2025.
- Mohammad Azharuddin – Got out for a duck, bowled by Stephen Fleming. Post-retirement, he stepped into politics and served as a Member of Parliament.
Middle-Order: Rahul Dravid, Ajay Jadeja, Robin Singh, Ajit Agarkar
- Rahul Dravid – A vital 48-run knock, building a game-changing 140-run stand with Tendulkar. Today, he’s a coaching legend. Led India to the 2024 T20 World Cup title and is now set to coach Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2025.
- Ajay Jadeja – Played an aggressive 71 off 65 balls. Now? A regular on TV as a cricket analyst and commentator.
- Robin Singh – Scored just three runs, but his coaching career took off. He’s currently the head coach of MI Emirates in ILT20.
- Ajit Agarkar – Chipped in with 10 runs and took one wicket for 61 runs. Now calling the shots as Chairman of the BCCI Senior Men’s Selection Committee.
Lower-Order: Sunil Joshi, Javagal Srinath, Nayan Mongia (WK), Anil Kumble
- Sunil Joshi – Bagged two wickets, including Ricky Ponting. Today, he’s the spin bowling coach for Punjab Kings in the IPL.
- Javagal Srinath – Delivered an economical 2/36 off nine overs, including the crucial scalp of Adam Gilchrist. Now, he’s an elite ICC match referee, having officiated over 500 international games.
- Nayan Mongia – The wicketkeeper stayed unbeaten on 0 and took one catch. Post-retirement, he’s a cricket analyst and motivational speaker.
- Anil Kumble – Had an off day, conceding 44 runs in his nine overs without a wicket. But his cricketing brain remains sharp—he’s now a well-respected analyst.
Also Read: ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Top 5 Batsmen to Watch Out For
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