The upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka, with 20 teams battling for the ultimate prize. From February 7 to March 8, there are going to be 55 incredibly intense matches before a champion is crowned in the tournament. India has a fantastic history in this tournament; they were crowned the champions of this event twice (once in 2007 when the tournament began and then again in 2024) demonstrating that they are the top team of T20 cricket.

The T20 World Cups have produced several amazing moments throughout its many tournaments and some of the greatest finishes in sports history. England and West Indies have also won the T20 World Cup Championship two times; Australia, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have all won the championship one time each. With the upcoming 10th T20 World Cup being played, now is a great time to look back on three of the best finals that have helped to create the legacy of this global tournament since its first tournament.

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Here are the top 3 greatest T20 World Cup finals of all time

3. India vs South Africa, 2024

India and South Africa faced off in a thrilling final of the 2024 T20 World Cup, with both sides fully deserving of a shot at the title. After winning the toss at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Rohit Sharma chose to bat first on a challenging surface. India found themselves in early trouble at 34/3, but Virat Kohli’s composed 76 off 59 balls steadied the innings. His knock helped India recover strongly and post a competitive total of 176/7 from their 20 overs.

South Africa’s chase began shakily with the loss of two early wickets, yet they stayed in the contest through crucial contributions from Quinton de Kock, Tristan Stubbs, and Heinrich Klaasen. Their efforts brought the target down to 30 runs needed from the final five overs. However, Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah delivered under pressure at the death. In the final over, Pandya defended 16 runs, with Suryakumar Yadav’s stunning long-off catch sealing a dramatic seven-run victory for India.

2. India vs Pakistan, 2007

India and Pakistan had already produced a classic encounter earlier in the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007, where MS Dhoni’s side edged past their arch-rivals in a dramatic bowl-out. Fate brought the two teams together once again in the final at The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. Batting first, India posted a competitive 157/5, built around a superb 75 off 54 balls from Gautam Gambhir. Rohit Sharma’s composed 30 towards the end ensured India crossed the 150-run mark on the big occasion.

Pakistan’s chase stayed alive despite early pressure, with Irfan Pathan’s incisive bowling setting the tone for India. Misbah-ul-Haq held the innings together and brought Pakistan close, leaving 13 runs to defend in the final over. Joginder Sharma, entrusted with the task, held his nerve despite early drama. After conceding a six, he induced a mistimed ramp from Misbah, which Sreesanth safely caught, sealing a memorable five-run win and India’s first T20 World Cup title.

1. West Indies vs England, 2016

The 2016 T20 World Cup final remains one of the most thrilling matches the game has ever witnessed, thanks to its unforgettable finish. Played at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata, the West Indies won the toss and chose to field first. England posted a fighting total of 155/9 in their 20 overs, anchored by a fluent half-century from Joe Root. On a slow surface that made stroke-making difficult, England’s batters had to work hard to put up a competitive score.

During the chase, Marlon Samuels provided stability as wickets fell around him, holding the innings together under pressure. The equation came down to a dramatic final over, with 19 runs needed from six balls. Carlos Brathwaite, facing Ben Stokes, produced a moment for the ages by smashing four consecutive sixes to seal a stunning victory. The triumph made West Indies the first team to win the T20 World Cup twice, with Samuels finishing unbeaten on 85 and earning Player of the Match honors.