The T20 World Cup has seen another addition to the illustrious history of finals that the competition has produced. With the 2026 edition going in the favour
of the triumphant Indian side that created history by becoming the first side to win a third title, the Men in Blue also defended their title from 2024 successfully.
From Brathwaite's last-over heroics to Ben Stokes' redemption and from era-defining firsts to glorious farewells over the years, the marquee event has produced innumerable spectacles for fans. As another edition of the global tournament has drawn the curtains, CricTracker ranks all the finals of the competition that kept the fans on the edge of their seats.
Here are all T20 World Cup finals ranked
10. 2010 – England vs Australia
England’s first ever ICC Trophy came in 2010 against arch-rivals Australia on a sunny afternoon in Bridgetown, Barbados. Electing to field first, England did well to restrict Australia to 147/6, despite David Hussey’s half-century. England’s win was sealed with a 111-run partnership between Kevin Pietersen and Craig Kieswetter, the latter getting 63. Captain Paul Collingwood hit the winning runs, claiming the Three Lions' a World Cup honour for the first time.
9. 2012 – West Indies vs Sri Lanka
West Indies beat a strong Sri Lanka side at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo to win their first T20 World Cup title. Batting first, the Caribbeans were restricted to 137/6, despite Marlon Samuels’ valiant 78. Ajantha Mendis picked up four wickets for just 12 runs in his four overs, as the hosts kept things tight from their end.
Chasing a small total, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 101, never being able to get going in the innings with the bat. Sunil Narine picked up three wickets conceding just nine runs in 3.4 overs, and Darren Sammy picked up two wickets for just six runs in two overs.
8. 2009 – Pakistan vs Sri Lanka
Pakistan undid the wrongs of the previous edition with victory at Lords in 2009 against a strong Sri Lanka side. Batting first, Kumar Sangakkara’s 64 took the Lankan Lions to 138, with Abdul Razzaq picking up three wickets. The Men in Green went about with their chase comfortably, starting strongly before Shahid Afridi’s half-century helped close it off with eight wickets remaining and 1.4 overs to spare.
7. 2021 – Australia vs New Zealand
High-achievers Australia finally won their first title in this format, in a high-scoring Trans-Tasman final against New Zealand, marred by covid bubbles and quarantines. Putting New Zealand into bat, Australia restricted them to 172/4, with Josh Hazlewood's 3/16 in four overs standing out. Kane Williamson’s 85 was an innings of class and poise. Australia went on with their chase comfortably, with Mitchell Marsh remaining unbeaten on 77, and David Warner’s half-century setting the platform with a strong start.
6. 2022 – England vs Pakistan
England’s moment of reckoning came in front of a jam-packed MCG against a strong Pakistan side. After decimating India in the semifinal in Adelaide, England who elected to field restricted Pakistan to meagre 137/8 on a wicket which favoured the fast bowlers.
Sam Curran picked up 3/12 in his four overs in a Player-of-the-Match performance, also clinching the Player of the Tournament accolade. England’s start was slow, with a brilliant spell of fast bowling from Naseem Shah, but it was not enough as Ben Stokes took them home with a composed half-century, undoing the demons from 2016 which haunted him.
5. 2026 - India vs New Zealand
India's 2026 run saw them break multiple records – the first team to win the ICC Men's T20 World Cup thrice, the first team to successfully defend the trophy, and the first-ever host nation to win the entire thing. Being put into bat by an inspired Mitchell Santner-led New Zealand side, India's rollicking start eventually culminated in a mammoth 255/5, breaking their own record for the highest score in ICC Men's T20 World Cup knockouts.
In response, the Black Caps were bowled out for 159, courtesy of Jasprit Bumrah's Player-of-the-Match performance of 4/15 off just four overs. Sanju Samson's 89 set the platform for the Men in Blue's batting blitz, ably supported by early fifties from Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan.
4. 2014 – Sri Lanka vs India
“Fourth time's a charm", or however the saying goes. Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene were playing their fourth ICC final, after 2009, 2011 (ODI World Cup) and 2012. After falling short all three times, they finally prevailed in 2014. Restricting an inspired Indian side to a paltry score of 130, with some tight death bowling.
India were able to score just 19 runs from the last four overs. Then it was Sangakkara who took the Lankan Lions home with a composed half-century, breaking the final's jinx and ending his T20I career on a high.
3. 2024 – India vs South Africa
India claimed their second T20 World Cup title after a wait of 17 long years, as a fairytale farewell for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in this format. Batting first, India got to 176/7, with Kohli’s 76 being the backbone of the innings, supported ably by Axar Patel’s 47 and a late cameo from Shivam Dube. South Africa started slow and were cruising until the end of the 15th over.
With 30 required off the last five overs, what followed were five overs of madness which pulled India back into the game, with just 14 runs and two wickets (including Heinrich Klaasen, who got 52 off just 27 balls) from the first four overs. South Africa needed 16 off the last over, with a set David Miller still going, but a spectacular catch from Suryakumar Yadav to dismiss Miller in the final over helped India get home by seven runs.
2. 2016 – West Indies vs England
You think of this match, and the first thing that comes to your mind is Ian Bishop on commentary screaming, “Carlos Brathwaite, remember the name!” And honestly, that indeed was the icing on the cake to the Caribbean's brilliance. England got to 155/9 after being put into bat with a Joe Root half-century. Marlon Samuels held West Indies’ innings together, finishing unbeaten on 85, but it was Brathwaite who made the headlines.
With 19 needed off the final over, the all-rounder hit four consecutive sixes off Ben Stokes’ bowling under immense pressure. His nerves of steel helped the Windies in clinching their second T20 World Cup crown and making them the first team to win the T20 World Cup twice.
1. 2007 – India vs Pakistan
What better start to the first-ever T20 World Cup final than a thrilling episode of a rivalry that goes beyond the realms of the sport? Arch-rivals India and Pakistan faced off in the final of the first edition on a September afternoon at the Wanderers in Johannesburg. Electing to bat after winning the toss, the Men in Blue got to 157/5, with Gautam Gambhir’s 75 off 54 and an unbeaten cameo from a young Rohit Sharma.
The Men in Green kept chipping away at the score despite India’s constant breakthroughs. With 13 runs needed off the final over with a wicket in hand and Misbah-Ul-Haq looking well set, Pakistan failed to capitalise as Sreesanth held onto a top-edged scoop off Joginder Sharma’s bowling. India’s young stars, under the leadership of MS Dhoni had conquered the world.
