The T20 fever is back once again, this time from the USA and the West Indies. This will be the 9th edition of the T20 World Cup. The last edition of the T20 World Cup was held in Australia.
The T20 World Cup is held in every 2 years, once being an exceptional case where after the 2016 edition in India the World Cup was held after 5 long years in 2021 in Dubai with BCCI being the original host.
The 9th edition of the T20 World Cup is set to begin on June 2 with hosts USA taking on Canada in game 1 whereas the other Co-Hosts West Indies will take on Papua New Guinea.
In the build-up to the marquee event let's have a look at the former champions of this tournament.
| Year | Host | Winner | Runner Up |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | West Indies/ US | TBC | TBC |
| 2022 | Australia | England | Pakistan |
| 2021 | India | Australia | New Zealand |
| 2016 | India | West indies | England |
| 2014 | Bangladesh | Sri Lanka | India |
| 2012 | Sri Lanka | West indies | Sri Lanka |
| 2010 | West Indies | England | Australia |
| 2009 | England | Pakistan | Sri Lanka |
| 2007 | South Africa | India | Pakistan |
England's title run in the 2022 edition started with a shocking loss to Ireland. However, they managed to win big against Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand in the group stages. They Brushed aside India in the 10-wicket win at Adelaide. England had some nervy moments in the final against Pakistan, but Ben Stokes calmly weathered the storm and took England over the line.
Probably the only tournament where no one picked Australia as favorites, Australia started the World Cup in dream fashion winning big against the West Indies and Sri Lanka, they did lose to England in the journey. but managed to win 3 games out of 4 games. They beat Pakistan in a tense Semi-Final, the final was a rather easy one for them as the duo Mitch Marsh and David Warner helped them chase 180 against New Zealand. Helping them to their maiden T20 Title.
The West Indies team was a dominant force in the 2016 edition, West Indies won 3 games out of 4 in the group stages. The Caribbean boys then went on to upset India in their backyard at Mumbai. In the title-winning clash at Kolkata, West Indies were in tough waters facing England in the final another dominant side of that World Cup. while chasing 161 West Indies were in trouble before those 4 huge sixes from Carlos Brathwaite hit those 4 huge sixes to seal the deal. As Ian Bishop called it "Remember the name".
In the 2024 edition, Sri Lanka was ruthless in their approach under Lasith Malinga, they did everything right in terms of execution in all the games, and coming to the final they were facing a rampant Indian side who had dominated every team in the competition just like Sri Lanka. However, luck favored the Island nation finally after losing the ODI World Cup in 2011 to the very same opponents.
West Indies was the team to beat in 2012 loaded with stars from top to bottom of the lineup they bullied every side in that edition. They were facing Sri Lanka in the final another dominant side. West Indies upset Sri Lanka in their backyard to claim their first-ever T20 Title.
The 2010 edition in the West Indies saw two arch-cricketing rivals take on each other in the final, England vs Australia in the final a mouth-watering clash, England had an indifferent start to the tournament losing to West Indies then one getting called off due to rain, however both the weather and the luck favored them, whichever team got in front of them was shown the exit doors including Australia in the final.
Pakistan didn't have a perfect tournament in England losing 2 group games and the knockout looked evident however the pundits called Pakistan as 'Unpredictable' they did something similar suddenly winning 4 games on the trot and kept on winning till they reached the podium finish. Pakistan beat Sri Lanka in the final at the Mecca of Cricket at Lord's.
The birth of the T20 World Cup was in the year 2007, The men in blue after getting knocked agonizingly in the ODI World Cup earlier in that year had a point to prove. They started by beating arch-rivals Pakistan in the group stage. They lost to New Zealand in the Super 6 but came back to winning ways to knock England and hosts South Africa out of the World Cup. In the semi-final, at one stage it looked like Australia might just run away with the game, but the bowlers had other ideas India easily won the semi-finals as well as the finals against Pakistan to be crowned as the inaugural Champions of the T20 World Cup.
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