Ever since its inception in 1998, the ICC Champions Trophy has witnessed some of the biggest cricketing stars featuring in it on a consistent basis.
Originally, all the ICC’s full members took part, and from 2000 to 2004 associate members were also involved. But from 2009 onward, the tournament has only involved the eight highest-ranked ODI teams as of six months prior to the tournament. The past eight editions, nevertheless, have been graced by some big names of modern day cricket.
And now that only a few days are remaining before the ninth edition of the tournament kicks off in England we are taking a look at the players who have played the most never of matches in the Champions Trophy. Interestingly, there is not a single player in the top 20 of this list who will play in the upcoming tournament in England. At the 23rd position, Pakistan’s veteran batsman Shoaib Malik is the highest-ranked player who will be playing in the upcoming tournament.
Former Sri Lanka skippers Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara holds the record of most number of matches in Champions Trophy with 22 matches each. Jayawardene, who played in six Champions Trophies, scored 742 runs at an average of 41.22 while Sangakkara, who too featured in a similar number of Champions Trophies, scored 683 runs at an average of 37.94.
Third in the list is also a former Sri Lanka skipper Sanath Jayasuriya. The former opening batsman played 20 matches and scored 536 runs at an average of almost 30. Jayasuriya is followed by former India skipper Rahul Dravid at number four who played 19 matches and scored 627 runs at an impressive average of 48.23.
| Player | Span | Matches |
| Mahela Jayawardene | 2000-2013 | 22 |
| Kumar Sangakkara | 2000-2013 | 22 |
| Sanath Jayasuriya | 1998-2009 | 20 |
| Rahul Dravid | 1998-2009 | 19 |
Brian Lara and Ricky Ponting come next on the list with 18 matches each. The batting legends are followed by seven players who played 17 matches each.
| Player | Span | Matches |
| Brian Lara | 1998-2006 | 18 |
| Ricky Ponting | 1998-2009 | 18 |
| Marvan Atapattu | 1998-2006 | 17 |
| Mark Boucher | 1998-2009 | 17 |
| Chris Gayle | 2002-2013 | 17 |
| Jacques Kallis | 1998-2009 | 17 |
| Muttiah Muralitharan | 1998-2009 | 17 |
| Daniel Vettori | 1998-2013 | 17 |
| Shane Watson | 2002-2013 | 17 |
The above players are then followed by five players who have played 16 matches each and 4 players with 15 games to their name.
| Player | Span | Matches |
| Shivnarine Chanderpaul | 1998-2006 | 16 |
| Brett Lee | 2000-2009 | 16 |
| Ramnaresh Sarwan | 2002-2013 | 16 |
| Sachin Tendulkar | 1998-2009 | 16 |
| Chaminda Vaas | 1998-2006 | 16 |
| Dwayne Bravo | 2004-2013 | 15 |
| Tillakaratne Dilshan | 2004-2013 | 15 |
| Kyle Mills | 2002-2013 | 15 |
| Shoaib Malik | 2002-2013 | 15 |