Last night (March 9) the India national cricket team were presented to with white jackets along with medals in Dubai after they claimed victory against New Zealand to win the champions trophy for 2025.

The event drew significant attention.

But why are these white jackets given to the champions?

In cricket, the white jacket is awarded only to the team that wins the Champions Trophy, a tradition that began in the 2009 edition of the tournaments hosted by South Africa.

Although the Champions Trophy started in 1998, this tradition did not exist during its first five editions. The first player to wear the white jacket was Ricky Ponting, the captain of the Australian national team that won the title in 2009.

While the International Cricket Council (ICC) organizes T20 and ODI World Cups, and even the World Test Championship, the white jacket is exclusively reserved for the winner of the Champions Trophy.

This tradition is inspired by the world of golf. In golf, the green jacket is awarded to the Master of Golf in the world or to distinguished members of the prestigious Augusta National Golf Club.

Now, the white jacket in cricket has become a symbol of success and respect for the best ODI team in the world. Wearing this jacket signifies that the team is the best in the world in the 50-over format.

Before the Champions Trophy final, the ICC sends a tailor to both finalist teams to take measurements. However, these jackets are only awarded to the team that emerges as the champion.
With last night’s victory, India became the first team in history to win the Champions Trophy three times.

The past Champions Trophy winners are South Africa in 1998, New Zealand in 2000,

India and Sri Lanka (joint winners) in 2002, West Indies in 2004, Australia in 2006 and 2009, India in 2013, Pakistan in 2017 and now India in 2025. 

For the first time in its history, Afghanistan participated in the 2025 Champions Trophy, which was hosted by Pakistan. The Afghan national cricket team finished the tournament with one win, one draw, and one loss.