Since its inception in 2007, the ICC Men's T20 World Cup has grown from an experimental format into one of cricket's most-watched global tournaments. Across nine completed editions, the competition has delivered unforgettable moments, shifting power balances, and a growing list of champions with India, West Indies and England emerging as the most successful teams so far.
T20 World Cup Champions
The inaugural T20 World Cup was held in South Africa in 2007 and immediately rewrote cricket's narrative. A young Indian side led by MS Dhoni lifted the first trophy after a dramatic five-run win over Pakistan in the final. The tournament also gave fans enduring images: Chris Gayle smashing the format's first international century, Yuvraj Singh's six sixes in an over, and cricket's only-ever
bowl-out.
Pakistan responded quickly, winning the 2009 title in England under Shahid Afridi, while England claimed their maiden global white-ball trophy in 2010 in the Caribbean, powered by Kevin Pietersen.
The West Indies then ushered in their golden T20 era, winning in 2012 and again in 2016. Their second triumph, sealed by Carlos Brathwaite's four consecutive sixes in the Kolkata final, remains one of the most iconic finishes in cricket history.
Sri Lanka finally broke through in 2014 on home soil, giving legends Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene a fitting farewell from the format.
Australia joined the winners' list in 2021, claiming their first T20 World Cup title after a five-year gap in ICC tournaments, while England became the first team to win the title twice in 2022, briefly holding both ODI and T20 world crowns.
The 2024 edition marked another turning point. Expanded to 20 teams, it saw new nations make their debut and underdogs like Afghanistan and the USA shake up the tournament. In the final, India edged South Africa by seven runs, with Virat Kohli's 76 and Jasprit Bumrah's decisive spell sealing their second T20 World Cup title.
Complete T20 World Cup winners list
| Year | Winner | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | TBA | TBA |
| 2024 | India | South Africa |
| 2022 | England | Pakistan |
| 2021 | Australia | New Zealand |
| 2016 | West Indies | England |
| 2014 | Sri Lanka | India |
| 2012 | West Indies | Sri Lanka |
| 2010 | England | Australia |
| 2009 | Pakistan | Sri Lanka |
| 2007 | India | Pakistan |
T20 World Cup Records and what lies ahead
Virat Kohli remains the tournament's all-time leading run-scorer with 1,292 runs, while Shakib Al Hasan tops the wicket charts with 50 scalps. As the 2026 World Cup approaches, the spotlight shifts to a new generation with debutants Italy joining the fray and traditional powers rebuilding.
What history shows is clear: in the T20 World Cup, dynasties are rare, moments are everything, and the winners' list is never done growing.
![Chris Lynn picks his all-time T20 XI, leaves out Rohit Sharma & Virat Kohli [Exclusive]](https://glance-mob.glance-cdn.com/public/cardpress/binge-magazine-card-generation/spaces/IN/en/crictracker-spaces/images/ppid_49c02804-image-177074010501291991.webp)
