The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup has evolved from an experimental “hit-and-giggle” tournament in 2007 into the most high-stakes and action-packed spectacle in the cricketing world. Known for its unpredictability, power-hitting, and nail-biting finishes, the tournament has witnessed several champions rise to glory.
Currently, as we witness the 10th edition in 2026, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, let’s take a detailed look at the history of champions, iconic moments, and the current status of the 2026 World Cup.
Rise and Journey of T20 World Cup Champions
Since the inaugural edition held in South Africa, only a few elite nations have managed to win the coveted trophy. India, England, and West Indies currently lead the tally with two titles each.
T20 World Cup Winners List: All-Time Champions (2007 – 2026)
| Year | Winner | Runner-Up | Captain (Winner) | Host Nation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | India | Pakistan | MS Dhoni | South Africa |
| 2009 | Pakistan | Sri Lanka | Younis Khan | England |
| 2010 | England | Australia | Paul Collingwood | West Indies |
| 2012 | West Indies | Sri Lanka | Darren Sammy | Sri Lanka |
| 2014 | Sri Lanka | India | Lasith Malinga | Bangladesh |
| 2016 | West Indies | England | Darren Sammy | India |
| 2021 | Australia | New Zealand | Aaron Finch | UAE / Oman |
| 2022 | England | Pakistan | Jos Buttler | Australia |
| 2024 | India | South Africa | Rohit Sharma | USA / West Indies |
| 2026 | Ongoing | TBD | TBD | India / Sri Lanka |
Detailed Look at Every Edition

T20 World Cup 2007: The Birth of a New Era (Winner: India)
Under the captaincy of a young MS Dhoni, India shocked the world by winning the first-ever T20 World Cup. The final against arch-rivals Pakistan is still considered one of the most iconic matches in history, where Joginder Sharma defended 13 runs in the final over to secure the victory.
- Margin: India won by 5 runs.
- Key Moment: Misbah-ul-Haq’s scoop shot, which was caught by Sreesanth.
T20 World Cup 2009: Pakistan’s Redemption (Winner: Pakistan)
After losing the 2007 final against India, Pakistan made a strong comeback in England. Shahid Afridi’s all-round brilliance guided them to a comfortable victory over Sri Lanka at Lord’s.
- Margin: Pakistan won by 8 wickets.
- ​Key Moment: Shahid Afridi’s unbeaten innings of 54 runs.
T20 World Cup 2010: England’s First ICC Trophy (Winner: England)
England finally ended their long-standing “ICC Trophy jinx” in the Caribbean, as Paul Collingwood’s team delivered a dominant and clinical performance to defeat Australia in the final.
- Margin: England won by 7 wickets.
- Key Moment: The brilliant partnership between Craig Kieswetter and Kevin Pietersen.
​T20 World Cup 2012 & 2016: The Caribbean Dominance (Winner: West Indies)
The West Indies became the first team to win the title twice. The 2012 victory featured Marlon Samuels’ heroic performance, while 2016 will always be remembered for Carlos Brathwaite’s four consecutive sixes against Ben Stokes in the final over at Eden Gardens.
- Margin: West Indies won by 36 runs (2012) & 4 wickets (2016).
- Key Moment: Marlon Samuels’ fighting 78-run innings (2012) and Carlos Brathwaite’s four consecutive sixes in the final over (2016).
T20 World Cup 2014: Sri Lanka’s Fitting Farewell (Winner: Sri Lanka)
After suffering multiple heartbreaks in previous final matches, Sri Lanka finally secured the title in Bangladesh by defeating India. The victory served as a fitting farewell for legendary players Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara.
- Margin: Sri Lanka won by 6 wickets.
- Key Moment: Kumar Sangakkara’s unbeaten 52-run finishing innings.
T20 World Cup 2021: Australia’s Maiden Title (Winner: Australia)
Despite being underestimated, Australia showcased their dominance in the UAE, with Mitchell Marsh and David Warner leading them to a convincing victory over New Zealand in a one-sided final.
- Margin: Australia won by 8 wickets.
- Key Moment: Mitchell Marsh’s explosive 77-run innings.
T20 World Cup 2022: England’s White-Ball Masterclass (Winner: England)
Jos Buttler led England to their second T20 title in Australia. With this victory, England became the first team to hold both the 50-over and 20-over World Cup trophies simultaneously.
- Margin: England won by 5 wickets.
- Key Moment: Ben Stokes’ responsible unbeaten half-century.
T20 World Cup 2024: India’s Resurrection (Winner: India)
Under Rohit Sharma’s captaincy, India ended their 11-year ICC trophy drought. In a thrilling final held in Barbados, India successfully defended a challenging total against South Africa, with Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya delivering outstanding performances under immense pressure.
- Margin: India won by 7 runs.
- Key Moment: Suryakumar Yadav’s unbelievable catch at the boundary.
T20 World Cup 2026: ​Live Updates & Analysis
The 2026 edition is currently being played across India and Sri Lanka. With a record 20 teams participating, the competition has now reached peak excitement.
Key Highlights of 2026 so far:
- Venues: Matches are being hosted at legendary stadiums like Ahmedabad (Narendra Modi Stadium), Mumbai (Wankhede), Kolkata (Eden Gardens), and Colombo (R. Premadasa).
- India’s Campaign: Under the captaincy of Suryakumar Yadav, India has made a strong start. In their latest fixture (February 12, 2026), India faced Namibia in Delhi, where the team delivered a dominant performance, with Ishan Kishan smashing a quick-fire half-century.
- Big Clash: The world is eagerly waiting for the India vs Pakistan showdown scheduled for February 15 in Colombo.
- Italy Debut: For the first time, Italy has qualified for the World Cup, showcasing the global growth of the sport.
T20 World Cup’s Most Successful Teams (Country-Wise)
- ​India: 2 Titles (2007, 2024)
- ​West Indies: 2 Titles (2012, 2016)
- ​England: 2 Titles (2010, 2022)
- ​Pakistan: 1 Title (2009)
- ​Sri Lanka: 1 Title (2014)
- ​Australia: 1 Title (2021)
Conclusion: Who will win in T20 World Cup 2026?
The road to the final, set to be played on March 8, 2026, in Ahmedabad, is still long. While India appears to be the strong favorite on home soil, teams like Australia and a resurgent New Zealand cannot be ignored.
For more exclusive coverage, player interviews, and match reports of the T20 World Cup, keep following ADV Today.
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