Indian fans have chance to get up close and personal with ICC Champions Trophy

India cricket fans will get the chance to see just what the top ten ODI teams are playing for this October and November when the ICC Champions Trophy goes on a whistle-stop tour of the country this month.

Click here to view the official trophy tour poster

Starting on Thursday 17 August in Mohali - the city where the opening match of the tournament will take place when Sri Lanka plays Bangladesh on 7 October - the trophy will be displayed at nine venues in seven cities over a 15-day period.

The tour also includes viewings in Delhi, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Kolkata before finishing up in Bangalore on 31 August.

The public will have the opportunity to take an intimate look at the trophy, which will be lifted by the captain of the winning side at the final, in Mumbai on 5 November.

ICC President Percy Sonn said: "The opportunity for the Indian public to get to see the ICC Champions Trophy at close quarters is a great idea.

"It gives them the chance to get a view of the trophy that is usually reserved for a select few, including the winning team.

"And it means that when those members of the public then watch the tournament either at the venues or on television they will know exactly what is at stake for all the sides taking part."

The itinerary for the ICC Champions Trophy tour is as follows:

DATE	CITY	VENUE	TIME
17 Aug	MOHALI	Fun Republic (Chandigarh)	11:30am - 7:30pm
19 Aug	DELHI	Waves Noida	1:00 pm - 9:30pm
20 Aug	DELHI	Ansals Shopping Plaza	1:00 pm - 9:30pm
22 Aug	JAIPUR	Gaurav Tower	11:30am - 7:30pm
24 Aug	AHMEDABAD	Fun Cinemas	11:30am - 7:30pm
26 Aug	MUMBAI	Nirmal Lifestyles	1:00 pm - 9:30pm
27 Aug	MUMBAI	InOrbit Mall	1:00 pm - 9:30pm
29 Aug	KOLKATA	City Centre	11:30am - 7:30pm
31 Aug	BANGALORE	Garuda Mall	11:30am - 7:30pm

The ICC Champions Trophy 2006 runs from 7 October to 5 November with 21 matches in 30 days at four venues in India – Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Mohali and Mumbai (the Cricket Club of India).  The final will take place at the CCI.

The ICC Champions Trophy 2006 is supported by Official Global Partners LG Electronics, Pepsi, Hutchison Essar, and Hero Honda Motors Limited India and Official Sponsors Indian Oil, Cable & Wireless and VISA.

ICC Champions Trophy facts:

-         Designed and manufactured in London by Asprey, the official Crown Jewellers, a company that also manufactured the ICC Cricket World Cup, the ICC Test Championship Mace and the ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup

-         It is 18 inches (45.72 centimetres) high, is 5.5 inches (13.97 centimetres) at its widest point and weighs approximately eight kilograms (17.6 pounds)

-         It is crafted of solid silver, it consists of a silver gilt cricket ball engraved with a map of the world; the ball is mounted on a trefoil of sterling silver curved panels that taper down to a lacquered wooden plinth; the front panel is engraved with the tournament title and logo

-         Its value is approximately US$20,000

-         It was first played for in 2002 when the tournament changed its name from the ICC Knock-out to the ICC Champions Trophy

-         The West Indies are the current holders after beating England by two wickets in the 2004 final at The Oval in London