Cricket Tales - From India's Comeback In 2007 To West Indies' Dominance, A Brief History Of T20 World Cup

Rohit Sharma-led team India will compete in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia. Let's have a look at the history of the T20 World Cups.

Cricket Image for T20 World Cup History: From India's Comeback In 2007 To West Indies' Dominance, A (Image Source: Google)

Cricket Tales, T20 World Cup History & Past Winners - The hype is building in full motion for the upcoming T20 World Cup. The T20 World Cup is scheduled to take place towards the end of the year in Australia. Amidst this, cricket fans and experts of all age groups are presenting their knowledge regarding the T20 World Cup. With this article, we aim at increasing the knowledge base of T20 cricket for all the readers. 

The first-ever international Twenty20 match was played on February 17th 2005 between Australia and New Zealand in Auckland. Before diving into the history of the T20 World Cup, it's important to first know about the first ever T20I match. Australia defeated New Zealand by 44 runs in the first-ever international T20 match in history. Ricky Ponting played a match-winning knock of 98 runs in 55 balls.

T20 World Cup Winners - 

T20 World Cup 2007: The first ever T20 World Cup was played in South Africa. In this tournament, a total of 27 matches were played between September 12th and September 23rd. Under MS Dhoni's captaincy, team India lifted the World T20 trophy in 2007. India defeated Pakistan in the final by 5 runs to win the first T20 World Cup. The T20 World Cup 2007 is seen as MS Dhoni's rise as a captain in international cricket. In this World Cup, Gautam Gambhir was the top run scorer for team India with 227 runs to his name. Gautam Gambhir played 7 matches and averaged 37.83. Here's a list of the top 10 batters in the first T20 World Cup.

T20 World Cup 2009: The second T20 World Cup was played in England. Team India were a strong contender to win the World Cup but failed to do so. In the tournament which was played from June 6th to June 20th, Pakistan won the tournament and lifted the title. Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka in the finals by 8 wickets and won the T20 World Cup 2009 title. All-rounder Shahid Afridi was adjudged the 'Player of the Match' in the final while Tilakaratne Dilshan won the 'Player of the Tournament' award. List of top 10 batters in the T20 World Cup 2009.

T20 World Cup 2010: The third T20 World Cup was held in West Indies. Played between 1st May to 15th May, England were able to win the World Cup. In the final at Barbados, England defeated Australia by 7 wickets to win the World Cup for the first time ever. In the final of the 2010 World Cup, Craig Kieswetter was adjudged the 'Player of the Match' while Kevin Pietersen was awarded 'Player of the Series'. Top 10 batters in T20 World Cup 2010. 

T20 World Cup 2012: The fourth T20 World Cup was played in Sri Lanka. Under the captaincy of Darren Sammy, West Indies defeated hosts Sri Lanka by 36 runs in the final to win the title. Marlon Samuels was adjudged the Player of the Match in the final while Australian all-rounder Shane Watson was awarded the 'Player of the Series'. Top 10 batters in T20 World Cup 2012.

T20 World Cup 2014: In this World Cup played in Bangladesh, India managed to reach the final. In the final, Sri Lanka defeated India by 6 wickets to win the T20 World Cup. Kumar Sangakkara was adjudged the 'Player of the Match' in the final while Virat Kohli was adjudged as the 'Player of the Series' in this tournament. Top 10 batters in T20 World Cup 2014. 

T20 World Cup 2016: The sixth World Cup was played in India. Team India managed to reach the semi-finals in this tournament. Darren Sammy-led West Indies team lifted the title after defeating England by 5 wickets in the finals. Marlon Samuels was awarded the 'Player of the Match' in the final while Indian batter Virat Kohli managed to win the 'Player of the Series' award again. Top 10 batters in T20 World Cup 2016.

T20 World Cup 2021: Due to Coivd-19, the 2021 T20 World Cup was hosted in UAE by India. Team India were eliminated in the group stage of the tournament in 2021. Australia won the T20 World Cup in 2021, defeating New Zealand by 8 wickets in the final. Mitchell Marsh was chosen the 'Player of the Match' in the final while David Warner was adjudged 'Player of the Series' Top 10 batters in T20 World Cup 2021. 

West Indies have been the only team to win the T20 World Cup twice and boast of excellence in the T20 format. Former Sri Lankan player Mahela Jayawardene has scored the most runs in T20 World Cup history with 1,016 runs to his name. Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has been the highest wicket-taker with 41 wickets to his name.