With the 10th edition to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, the big question remains – will the host finally break the streak? (Image credit: ICC) Since the start of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2007 in South Africa, nine editions of the tournament have been completed, producing six different champions and countless memorable moments. India, West Indies and England have lifted the trophy twice each, while Pakistan, Australia and Sri Lanka have tasted success once.India made history in the inaugural edition under the captaincy of Mahendra Singh Dhoni as they edged out arch-rivals Pakistan by five runs in a nerve-wracking final at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. The men in blue had to wait almost 17 years to claim the crown, which they finally did in 2024 when Rohit Sharma’s side defeated South Africa by seven runs in a thrilling summit clash at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados.
T20 World Cup: Squads Explained, Complete Schedule, Venues & Key Details
India enter the upcoming tournament as the defending champions after their triumph in the Caribbean and the United States. Playing in familiar conditions, they start as strong opponents, although T20 cricket is inherently predictable and promises to be another thrilling contest.A curious trend has also defined the competition so far: none of the host countries have ever won the T20 World Cup. South Africa (2007), England (2009), West Indies (2010), Sri Lanka (2012), Bangladesh (2014), India (2016), UAE and Oman (2021), Australia (2022) and USA and West Indies (2024) have all hosted, but the trophy has always gone elsewhere.With the 10th edition to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, the big question remains – will the host finally break the streak?Here’s a look back at the finals from the first nine editions:2007 T20 World CupChampions: IndiaIn second place: PakistanOrganizers: 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 in 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 kick over Joginder Sharma’s short fine leg, only to send the ball straight into the air. Sreesanth settled under him and completed the catch, sparking wild celebrations as India were crowned champions.“It’s one of the things I will cherish for the rest of my life,” Dhoni said after the match.The five-run win gave India its first T20 World Cup crown.2009 T20 World CupChampions: PakistanIn second place: Sri LankaOrganizers: EnglandAfter narrowly missing out on the World Cup in 2007, Pakistan did not miss the chance this time. A side that went down painfully two years ago lifted the trophy at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground.After Abdul Razzaq reduced Sri Lanka to 138/6 in 20 overs with three wickets, Pakistan batsman Shahid Afridi led his team home in the 19th over with an unbeaten 54. Pakistan captain Younis Khan lifted the trophy in front of a roaring Lord’s crowd.
List of T20 World Cup winners
Year WinnerRunners-UpHosts2007IndiaPakistanSouth Africa2009PakistanSri LankaEngland2010EnglandAustraliaWest Indies2012West IndiesSri LankaSri Lanka2014Sri LankaIndiaBangladesh2016West Indies202AustraliaIndiaOman2022EnglandPakistanAustralia2024IndiaSouth AfricaUSA and West Indies2010 T20 World CupChampions: EnglandSecond place: AustraliaOrganizers: West IndiesAfter failing to reach the knockouts as hosts in 2009, England learned from their mistakes and turned the tables in 2010. They beat Australia in the final to lift their first T20 World Cup trophy under Paul Collingwood.With England electing to field first, Ryan Sidebottom’s two-wicket haul and tight bowling from Graeme Swann (1/17) restricted 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 clinch the title.T20 World Cup 2012Champions: West IndiesIn second place: Sri LankaOrganizers: Sri LankaMarlon Samuels and Darren Sammy helped West Indies win their first World Cup title since 1979. The wait was long and the Men in Maroon were in tears of joy. 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 hit 78 off 56 balls while Sammy scored an unbeaten 26 off 15.Despite a meager total, West Indies, riding on Sunil Narine’s 3/9 and Darren Sammy’s 2/6, bowled out Sri Lanka for 101 to win the final by 36 runs.T20 World Cup 2014Champions: Sri LankaIn second place: IndiaHosts: BangladeshIndia entered the final as favorites to repeat their success of 2007. Sri Lanka opted to field first and restricted India to 130/4. Virat Kohli top scored with 77 off 58 balls. In response, Kumar Sangakkara made a superb unbeaten 52 off 35 balls to take Sri Lanka home to Dhaka.T20 World Cup 2016Champions: West IndiesSecond place: EnglandOrganizers: IndiaThe 2016 final is considered to be one of the greatest in T20 World Cup history. West Indies were pushed all the way and eventually won in trademark fashion. Carlos Brathwaite was the hero.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 equation was: Windies needed 19 from 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.T20 World Cup 2021Champions: AustraliaSecond place: New ZealandHosts: United Arab Emirates 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 lead Australia to their first crown.T20 World Cup 2022Champions: EnglandIn second place: PakistanOrganizers: AustraliaBoth England and Pakistan were aiming for a second T20 World Cup title. England won 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 lead England to victory.T20 World Cup 2024Champions: IndiaSecond place: South AfricaHosts: USA and West IndiesIt was a pulsating final between India and South Africa, with India pulling victory from the clutches of defeat. The Men in Blue won by seven runs to reclaim the T20 crown and end India’s 11-year drought. After the triumph, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja announced their retirement from the shortest format of the game.
