The ICC Champions Trophy has always been a tournament where batters shine, delivering unforgettable performances. Among these, boundary-hitting stands out as a defining feature of many iconic innings. This article takes a closer look at the most fours hit in a single innings during the tournament, with a detailed analysis of standout performances.
Most Fours (Innings) in ICC Champions Trophy
Virender Sehwag’s Explosive 126 Against England
Virender Sehwag delivered a masterclass in boundary-hitting with his brilliant 126 runs against England in the 2002 ICC Champions Trophy. His innings included a staggering 21 fours and a six, accounting for 90 runs from boundaries. Sehwag’s strike rate of 121.15 was pivotal in setting a competitive total for India.
Key Highlights:
- Ground: Colombo (RPS)
- Strike Rate: 121.15
- Runs from Boundaries: 90
- Opponent: England
Sehwag’s innings was a testament to his aggressive mindset and ability to find gaps. His consistent boundary-hitting helped India dominate the match. Despite relying heavily on fours rather than sixes, his power and placement were exceptional.

Nathan Astle’s Magnificent 145 Against USA
Nathan Astle’s knock of 145 runs against the USA in 2004 stands as one of the most memorable innings in the Champions Trophy. With 13 fours and 6 sixes, Astle amassed 88 runs from boundaries. His calculated aggression and a strike rate of 96.02 made him the backbone of New Zealand’s innings.
Key Highlights:
- Ground: The Oval
- Strike Rate: 96.02
- Runs from Boundaries: 88
- Opponent: USA
Astle’s ability to pace his innings while maintaining consistent boundary-hitting ensured New Zealand’s dominance. His adaptability and powerful shots showcased his skill against a weaker opponent.

Chris Gayle’s Dominant 133 Against South Africa
Chris Gayle’s explosive 133 runs off 135 balls against South Africa in 2006 remains a standout performance. Gayle smashed 17 fours and 3 sixes, contributing 86 runs from boundaries. His strike rate of 98.51 highlighted his aggressive approach.
Key Highlights:
- Ground: Jaipur
- Strike Rate: 98.51
- Runs from Boundaries: 86
- Opponent: South Africa
Gayle’s innings was a perfect mix of power and precision. His boundary-hitting was complemented by his ability to rotate the strike, making him a constant threat to the opposition.

Shahid Afridi’s Record-Breaking 55 Off 18 Balls
Shahid Afridi’s incredible 55 runs from just 18 balls against the Netherlands remains one of the fastest innings in ICC Champions Trophy history. Afridi smashed 4 fours and 6 sixes, contributing 52 runs from boundaries with a jaw-dropping strike rate of 305.55.
Key Highlights:
- Ground: Colombo (RPS)
- Strike Rate: 305.55
- Runs from Boundaries: 52
- Opponent: Netherlands
Afridi’s fearless approach stunned the opposition and changed the game’s momentum. His quick boundaries, particularly his sixes, electrified the fans and demonstrated how a single innings could alter the course of a match.

Sourav Ganguly’s Consistent Boundary Hitting
Sourav Ganguly, a stalwart of Indian cricket, produced some incredible innings in the ICC Champions Trophy. His 141 runs against South Africa in 2000 showcased his ability to hit 11 fours and 6 sixes, contributing 80 runs from boundaries.
Key Highlights:
- Ground: Nairobi (Gymkhana)
- Strike Rate: 99.29
- Runs from Boundaries: 80
- Opponent: South Africa
Ganguly’s calculated aggression and elegant stroke play made him one of the most consistent performers in the tournament’s history.

Other Notable Performances
While Sehwag, Astle, Gayle, Afridi, and Ganguly led the way, several other players made their mark in the ICC Champions Trophy with outstanding boundary-filled innings:
- Shane Watson (136 runs): With 10 fours and 7 sixes, Watson scored 82 runs from boundaries against England in Centurion.
- Tamim Iqbal (128 runs): Tamim’s innings included 12 fours and 3 sixes, contributing 66 boundary runs against England at The Oval.
- Rohit Sharma (123 runs): Rohit smashed 15 fours and a six, accumulating 66 boundary runs against Bangladesh in Birmingham.
- Fakhar Zaman (114 runs): Fakhar’s innings against India featured 12 fours and 3 sixes, with 66 runs coming from boundaries.
Top Performers Most Fours (Innings) in ICC Champions Trophy: Complete List
| Player | Runs | Mins | Balls | 4s | 6s | 4+6 | SR | Team | Opposition | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V Sehwag | 126 | 136 | 104 | 21 | 1 | 90 | 121.15 | India | v England | Colombo (RPS) |
| NJ Astle | 145 | 177 | 151 | 13 | 6 | 88 | 96.02 | New Zealand | v U.S.A. | The Oval |
| CH Gayle | 133 | 197 | 135 | 17 | 3 | 86 | 98.51 | West Indies | v South Africa | Jaipur |
| SR Watson | 136 | 176 | 132 | 10 | 7 | 82 | 103.03 | Australia | v England | Centurion |
| SC Ganguly | 141 | 216 | 142 | 11 | 6 | 80 | 99.29 | India | v South Africa | Nairobi (Gym) |
| DA Gunawardene | 132 | 200 | 146 | 19 | – | 76 | 90.41 | Sri Lanka | v West Indies | Nairobi (Gym) |
| PA Wallace | 103 | 135 | 102 | 11 | 5 | 74 | 100.98 | West Indies | v South Africa | Dhaka |
| Shahriar Nafees | 123 | 201 | 161 | 17 | 1 | 74 | 76.39 | Bangladesh | v Zimbabwe | Jaipur |
| SR Tendulkar | 141 | 191 | 128 | 13 | 3 | 70 | 110.15 | India | v Australia | Dhaka |
| HH Gibbs | 116 | 160 | 126 | 13 | 3 | 70 | 92.06 | South Africa | v Kenya | Colombo (RPS) |
| TM Dilshan | 106 | 116 | 92 | 16 | 1 | 70 | 115.21 | Sri Lanka | v South Africa | Centurion |
| N Hussain | 95 | 122 | 120 | 9 | 5 | 66 | 79.16 | England | v Bangladesh | Nairobi (Gym) |
| SC Ganguly | 117 | 183 | 109 | 12 | 3 | 66 | 107.33 | India | v England | Colombo (RPS) |
| Tamim Iqbal | 128 | 184 | 142 | 12 | 3 | 66 | 90.14 | Bangladesh | v England | The Oval |
| S Dhawan | 125 | 198 | 128 | 15 | 1 | 66 | 97.65 | India | v Sri Lanka | The Oval |
| RG Sharma | 123 | 165 | 129 | 15 | 1 | 66 | 95.34 | India | v Bangladesh | Birmingham |
| Fakhar Zaman | 114 | 142 | 106 | 12 | 3 | 66 | 107.54 | Pakistan | v India | The Oval |
| Saeed Anwar | 104 | 145 | 115 | 16 | – | 64 | 90.43 | Pakistan | v New Zealand | Nairobi (Gym) |
| HH Gibbs | 116 | 162 | 119 | 16 | – | 64 | 97.47 | South Africa | v India | Colombo (RPS) |
| Shoaib Malik | 128 | 173 | 126 | 16 | – | 64 | 101.58 | Pakistan | v India | Centurion |
| GC Smith | 141 | 216 | 134 | 16 | – | 64 | 105.22 | South Africa | v England | Centurion |
| SR Watson | 105 | 203 | 129 | 10 | 4 | 64 | 81.39 | Australia | v New Zealand | Centurion |
| BA Stokes | 102 | 136 | 109 | 13 | 2 | 64 | 93.57 | England | v Australia | Birmingham |
| CH Gayle | 104 | 132 | 118 | 11 | 3 | 62 | 88.13 | West Indies | v Bangladesh | Jaipur |
| DJ Bravo | 112 | 182 | 124 | 14 | 1 | 62 | 90.32 | West Indies | v England | Ahmedabad |
| EJG Morgan | 87 | 121 | 81 | 8 | 5 | 62 | 107.40 | England | v Australia | Birmingham |
| SC Ganguly | 117 | 177 | 130 | 9 | 4 | 60 | 90.00 | India | v New Zealand | Nairobi (Gym) |
| WU Tharanga | 110 | 158 | 130 | 13 | 1 | 58 | 84.61 | Sri Lanka | v Zimbabwe | Ahmedabad |
| RG Twose | 87 | 134 | 101 | 14 | – | 56 | 86.13 | New Zealand | v Pakistan | Nairobi (Gym) |