The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has reached its final stages where the remaining four teams will contest to win the title. The ongoing Champions Trophy has been special for many of the players, especially the Indian players who were playing the tournament for the first time. Indian vice-captain Shubman Gill went on to score a hundred in his debut match in Champions Trophy, while Varun Chakravarthy made his Champions Trophy debut memorable with a five-wicket haul.
However, these are not the only instances where the Indian players turned out to be the match-winners in their debut match at the Champions Trophy. In the following listicle, we will have a look at the list of Indian players who made their debut at the Champions Trophy memorable with match-winning performances.
Indians on Champions Trophy debut
Varun Chakrvarthy: 5/42 vs New Zealand, 2025
Spin bowler Varun Chakravarthy had a memorable debut in the Champions Trophy when India faced New Zealand in the last league match of the 2025 Champions Trophy in Dubai on March 2. Having already qualified for the semi-finals, India gave Chakravarthy a chance in their last match of the group stage. After that, the right-arm leg spinner turned out to be match winner with the figures 5/42 as India successfully defended the total of 249 runs and won the match by 44 runs. Varun Chakravarthy was awarded player of the match in his Champions Trophy debut.
Shubman Gill: 101*(129) vs Bangladesh, 2025
Indian vice-captain Shubman Gill scored a match-winning hundred in his Champions Trophy debut match against Bangladesh in Dubai on February 20. Chasing a target of 229 runs against Bangladesh, Gill came up with an unbeaten 101 runs off 129 balls, hitting nine fours and two sixes as India chased the target in 46.3 overs to start their campaign with a win.
Shikhar Dhawan: 114(94) vs South Africa, 2013
India’s highest run-getter in the Champions Trophy, Shikhar Dhawan, started his career in the 50-over tournament with a century against South Africa in Cardiff on June 6, 2013. Playing his match in the Champions Trophy, Dhawan ended up scoring 114 runs off 94 balls, hitting 12 fours and a six as India defeated South Africa by 26 runs to kick off their title winning campaign with a win.
Mohammad Kaif: 111*(112) vs Zimbabwe, 2002
Playing his first match in the Champions Trophy, Mohammad Kaif smashed a match-winning hundred against Zimbabwe in Colombo on September 14, 2002. Batting first, India posted 288/6 with Kaif top scoring with 111 runs off 112 balls, hitting eight fours and a maximum. India went on to win the match by 14 runs with Mohammad Kaif getting player of the match award in his Champions Trophy debut.
Sachin Tendulkar: 141(128) & 4/38 vs Australia, 1998
As India played their first-ever match at the Champions Trophy in 1998, Sachin Tendulkar turned out to be match-winner not just with the bat but also with the ball. In a match against Australia in Dhaka on October 28, 1998, Sachin scored 141 runs off 128 balls, hitting 13 fours and three sixes as India posted 307/8 in their 50 overs. After that, Sachin also registered the figures of 4/38 with the ball as Australia were bowled out for 263 runs.
