T20 World Cup: List of winners of the previous editions

The T20 World Cup is a pivotal element, significantly elevating the status of the game’s shortest format. Since its inception, the T20 format has not only grown in popularity. Still, it has also paved the way for the rise of franchise-based leagues and the participation of over 20 countries in the ongoing 2024 edition.

The tournament began in 2007 in South Africa and has been a breeding ground for cricket legends, a tradition that continues to this day. Here’s a comprehensive list and timeline of the previous ICC T20 World Cup title champions.

1. 2007: India

In the first-ever T20 World Cup 2007, MS Dhoni, the young captain prodigy, led the team to a triumph. It was his first important job as captain of the Indian cricket team. The Men in Blue lost only once to New Zealand throughout the competition. They defeated Pakistan by five runs to win the trophy in the final match.

The last game versus Pakistan was extremely tight and intense. Gautam Gambhir scored 75 runs, while Rohit Sharma scored quickly, helping India set a goal of 158 runs. Irfan Pathan was great at breaking through Pakistan’s batting, and RP Singh bowled well at critical moments. Joginder Sharma bowled to Misbah-ul-Haq, who attempted an unorthodox shot but failed to go over the park, which got caught by Sreeshanth, leading to the first and only T20 World Cup title.

2. 2009: Pakistan

After placing second in the inaugural T20 World Cup, Pakistan won their first T20 World Cup two years later, in 2009. Pakistan won the tournament hosted by England, defeating Sri Lanka by eight wickets in the final.

Pakistan lost its opening match against England and a vital game against Sri Lanka, but they recovered and won the cup. Sri Lanka scored 138/6 in their 20 overs, setting a goal for Pakistan. Pakistan completed the goal in 18.4 overs, with Shahid Afridi scoring the winning runs.

3. 2010: England

England faced Australia in the 2010 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados. This was the tournament’s third edition, and England won by seven wickets, earning their first global T20 title and ICC global championship.

Australia scored 147 for 6 in their 20 overs, setting a target for England. England lost their first wicket early, but Kieswetter and Pietersen grabbed control with a 111-run partnership for the second wicket. Morgan and Collingwood finished the chase with three overs to spare.

4. 2012: West Indies

The West Indies won their first T20 World Cup in 2012, defeating host nation Sri Lanka in the final. For the first time, the T20 World Cup was contested in Asia. Darren Sammy guided the West Indies Cricket Team to victory in the 2012 T20 World Cup.

The West Indies reached 137 for 6, adding 108 runs in the final ten overs. Despite Kumar Sangakara’s efforts, tight bowling held Sri Lanka to 39 for one after eight overs. Mahela Jayawardene led Sri Lanka with 33 runs, while Sunil Narine bowled a stunning 9-3 in 3.4 overs.

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5. 2014: Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka and India met in the 2014 ICC Men’s World T20 Final at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka. It was the fifth edition of the T20 World Cup. Sri Lanka won their first T20 World Cup, defeating India by six wickets after finishing second in 2009 and 2012. Sri Lanka became the sixth side to win the championship after India, Pakistan, England, and the West Indies.

After holding an in-form Indian batting lineup to a mere 130/4, the Lankans finished the remaining formalities with Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, and Tillakaratne Dilshan. Sri Lanka became the fifth side to win the championship, after India, Pakistan, England, and the West Indies.

6. 2016: West Indies

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2016 Final was held at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, with England taking against West Indies. The West Indies won by four wickets, claiming their second ICC World T20 championship, and became the first cricket side to accomplish this feat.

England scored 155/9 after 20 overs, but the West Indies’ batting depth kept them in contention. Samuels ended undefeated on 85 off 66, the highest score in the T20 World Cup final ever, winning him Man of the Match honours. The West Indies won their fourth ICC global championship, becoming the first to win the men’s and women’s T20 global Cups on the same day.

7. 2021: Australia

After a long hiatus, the T20 World Cup returned to its business, hosting its seventh edition in the UAE and Oman. The event was initially set for Australia in 2020 but was postponed owing to the COVID-19 epidemic. It was relocated from India to the UAE in 2021 because of the worries of the pandemic.

Australia won the T20 World Cup 2021, beating New Zealand in the final. Australia won the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup for the first time by eight wickets. After the Black Caps set up a total of 173/4, the Aussies chased the massive target of 173 runs quickly and stylishly. 

8. 2022: England

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 final, between England and Pakistan, was held at the MCG in Melbourne, Australia. Both teams were aiming for their second ICC Men’s T20 World Cup victory. England won the toss and fielded first. Pakistan scored 137 runs for the loss of eight wickets.

With an informed batting approach, the squad was able to hunt it down in its unique style and win its first T20 World Cup championship. This makes them the fifth country to win the ICC’s shortest-format championship. England became the first men’s team to hold the ODI (50-over) and T20 World Cup championships simultaneously following their victory in the 2019 Cricket World Cup Final.