Since the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup was launched in 2007 in South Africa, nine editions of the marquee tournament have been completed, producing six different champions and countless unforgettable moments. India, West Indies and England have each lifted the trophy twice, while Pakistan, Australia and Sri Lanka have tasted success once.
India scripted history in the inaugural edition under Mahendra Singh Dhoni, edging past arch-rivals Pakistan by five runs in a nerve-shredding final at Johannesburg’s Wanderers Stadium. The Men in Blue had to wait nearly 17 years to reclaim the crown, finally doing so in 2024 when Rohit Sharma’s side defeated South Africa by seven runs in a thrilling summit clash at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados.
India enter the upcoming tournament as defending champions after their triumph across the Caribbean and the United States. Playing in familiar conditions, they start as strong contenders, although T20 cricket’s inherent unpredictability promises another gripping contest.
A curious trend has also defined the competition so far: none of the host nations have ever won the T20 World Cup. South Africa (2007), England (2009), West Indies (2010), Sri Lanka (2012), Bangladesh (2014), India (2016), UAE & Oman (2021), Australia (2022), and USA & West Indies (2024) all staged the event, yet the trophy always travelled elsewhere.
With the 10th edition set to be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka, the big question remains — will a host finally break the jinx?
Here’s a look back at the finals from the first nine editions:2007 T20 World CupChampions: IndiaRunners-up: PakistanHosts: South AfricaIndia sealed a thrilling five-run victory over Pakistan to lift the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 title in front of a frenzied crowd at the Wanderers, producing what many still regard as one of the greatest finals in major tournament history. With six needed off four balls, Misbah-ul-Haq attempted a risky scoop over short fine leg off Joginder Sharma, only to send the ball straight up in the air. Sreesanth settled under it and completed the catch, triggering wild celebrations as India were crowned champions.
“It’s one of the things I will treasure for the rest of my life,” Dhoni said after the match.
The five-run victory handed India their first T20 World Cup crown.
2009 T20 World CupChampions: PakistanRunners-up: Sri LankaHosts: EnglandAfter missing the World Cup by a whisker in 2007, Pakistan didn’t let the chance slip this time. The side, which had fallen agonisingly short two years earlier, lifted the trophy at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground.
After Abdul Razzaq’s three-wicket burst restricted Sri Lanka to 138/6 in 20 overs, Pakistan’s swashbuckling batter Shahid Afridi guided his team home in the 19th over with an unbeaten 54. Pakistan captain Younis Khan raised the trophy in front of a roaring Lord’s crowd.
T20 World Cup winners list
| Year | Winner | Runners-Up | Hosts |
|---|
| 2007 | India | Pakistan | South Africa |
| 2009 | Pakistan | Sri Lanka | England |
| 2010 | England | Australia | West Indies |
| 2012 | West Indies | Sri Lanka | Sri Lanka |
| 2014 | Sri Lanka | India | Bangladesh |
| 2016 | West Indies | England | India |
| 2021 | Australia | New Zealand | UAE and Oman |
| 2022 | England | Pakistan | Australia |
| 2024 | India | South Africa | USA and West Indies |
After failing to reach the knockouts in 2009 as hosts, England learned from their mistakes and turned the tables in the 2010 edition. They defeated Australia in the final to lift their maiden T20 World Cup trophy under Paul Collingwood’s captaincy.
Electing to field first, England, riding on Ryan Sidebottom’s two wickets and tight bowling from Graeme Swann (1/17), limited Australia to 147/6 in 20 overs.
In reply, Craig Kieswetter scored 63, while Kevin Pietersen smashed 47 to help England chase down the target in 17 overs and win the title.
2012 T20 World CupChampions: West IndiesRunners-up: Sri LankaHosts: Sri LankaMarlon Samuels and Darren Sammy helped West Indies clinch their first world title since 1979. The wait was long, and tears of joy flowed for the Men in Maroon. West Indies elected to bat first against Sri Lanka in Colombo. Ajantha Mendis (4/12) did the job for Sri Lanka, restricting West Indies to 137/6. Samuels blasted 78 off 56 balls, while Sammy scored an unbeaten 26 off 15.
Despite posting a modest total, West Indies, riding on Sunil Narine’s 3/9 and Darren Sammy’s 2/6, bowled Sri Lanka out for 101 to win the final by 36 runs.
2014 T20 World CupChampions: Sri LankaRunners-up: IndiaHosts: BangladeshIndia entered the final as favourites to repeat their 2007 success. Sri Lanka elected to field first and restricted India to 130/4. Virat Kohli top-scored with 77 off 58 balls. In reply, Kumar Sangakkara struck a brilliant unbeaten 52 off 35 balls to take Sri Lanka home in Dhaka.
2016 T20 World CupChampions: West IndiesRunners-up: EnglandHosts: IndiaThe 2016 final is regarded as one of the greatest in T20 World Cup history. West Indies were pushed all the way and eventually prevailed in trademark fashion. The hero was Carlos Brathwaite.
After England posted 155/9, West Indies suffered a poor start, losing Johnson Charles, Chris Gayle and Lendl Simmons with just 11 on the board. Marlon Samuels’ brilliant unbeaten 85 kept them in the hunt.
The final over equation read: Windies needed 19 off six balls. Brathwaite was on strike, Ben Stokes had the ball — and the rest is history. Brathwaite smashed four consecutive sixes to seal the title.
2021 T20 World CupChampions: AustraliaRunners-up: New ZealandHosts: UAE and OmanBoth New Zealand and Australia were chasing their first T20 World Cup title, and it was Australia who emerged victorious. New Zealand, put in to bat, scored 172/4, with Kane Williamson making 85 off 48 balls. In reply, David Warner hit 53 while Mitchell Marsh smashed an unbeaten 77 to guide Australia to their maiden crown.
2022 T20 World CupChampions: EnglandRunners-up: PakistanHosts: AustraliaBoth England and Pakistan were aiming for a second T20 World Cup title. England prevailed by five wickets. After electing to field, England rode on fine spells from Sam Curran (3/12), Adil Rashid (2/22) and Chris Jordan (2/27) to restrict Pakistan to 137/8. Ben Stokes then scored an unbeaten 52 to steer England to victory.
2024 T20 World CupChampions: IndiaRunners-up: South AfricaHosts: USA and West IndiesIt was a pulsating final between India and South Africa, with India snatching victory from the jaws of defeat. The Men in Blue won by seven runs to reclaim the T20 crown and end India’s 11-year trophy drought. Following the triumph, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja announced their retirement from the shortest format of the game.
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