The 2002 ICC Champions Trophy final between India and Sri Lanka had so much hype but ended with two days of rain with both teams sharing the title. The final was scheduled for September 29 at the R. Premadasa
Stadium in Colombo. Sri Lanka, led by Sanath Jayasuriya, batted first and made 244 for five in 50 overs. Sanath scored 74, while Kumar Sangakkara made 54.
Harbhajan Singh was the pick of the bowlers for India picking up three wickets for 27 runs. India had just begun their chase when the weather intervened. They reached 14 without losing a wicket after two overs before heavy rain forced the match to be abandoned. With a reserve day available, there was still hope of a proper finish. But the weather had other plans.
India vs Sri Lanka: The Champions Trophy Final That Never Had a Winner
The teams returned on September 30 to play the final again from the beginning, rather than resume the previous match. Sri Lanka once more batted first and this time scored 222 for seven in their 50 overs. Mahela Jayawardene made 77, while Russel Arnold remained unbeaten on 56. Zaheer Khan took three wickets for 44. India needed 223 to win, but the chase lasted only 8.4 overs. Virender Sehwag was looking to attack, scoring 25, while Sachin Tendulkar was unbeaten on seven when rain stopped play with India at 38 for one. There was no chance to complete the required minimum overs and the final was abandoned for a second time.
🔥 DADA MODE ACTIVATED 🔥
2002 Champions Trophy Final – India vs Sri Lanka.
Russel Arnold keeps running through the danger area like he owns the pitch. Sourav Ganguly has seen enough.
The Indian captain marches straight up, gives him a proper heated on-field warning mid-over. Words fly. Arnold fires back. Umpires (Shepherd & Bucknor) rush in to separate them. Ganguly gets an official warning.
That same evening, Ganguly walks straight into the Sri Lankan dressing room himself to sort it out face-to-face. No agents, no statements – just pure respect and old-school cricket. Sri Lankans (including Sangakkara) told him not to worry – they weren’t taking it further.
— CricXGoat (@GoatXCric) July 20, 2026
The tournament rules meant there would be no winner. India and Sri Lanka were declared joint champions, sharing the trophy and the prize money. For Sourav Ganguly’s India, the result capped a strong campaign that included a semi-final victory over South Africa. Sri Lanka had also impressed, beating Australia in their semi-final to reach the final on home soil. This shared title remains one of the most unusual endings to a major international cricket tournament.
