3 greatest T20 World Cup finals of all time

The upcoming T20 World Cup is set to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. 20 teams are going to compete for the coveted prize. On February 7, the global extravaganza will set sail, and after 55 intense matches, one team will reign supreme on March 8. India were the first winners of the tournament and repeated the feat in 2024.

Apart from them, England and the West Indies have also won the marquee event twice. Australia, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka are the other sides with T20 World Cup titles. As we are approaching the 10th edition of the T20 World Cup, now is a great opportunity to look at the three best finals the marquee event has witnessed since its inception in 2007.

Here are the top 3 greatest T20 World Cup finals of all time

3. India vs South Africa, 2024

India and South Africa reached the finals of the 2024 T20 World Cup, and both were deserving of the title. Rohit Sharma won the toss at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, and opted to bat first. Virat Kohli scored a 59-ball 76 on a tough track to bat on. India recovered from 34/3 to post 176/7 in their 20 overs. In reply, South Africa lost two quick wickets, but Quinton de Kock, Tristan Stubbs, and Heinrich Klaasen played excellent knocks under pressure, bringing the equation down to 30 runs required off the last five overs.

However, Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah bowled brilliantly in the back end of the innings to bring India back into the match. In the last over, Hardik had 16 runs to defend, with the dangerous David Miller on strike. The Indian all-rounder started with a full toss, and Miller slammed it towards long-off. Suryakumar Yadav took a magnificent catch, and the Men in Blue went on to win by seven runs.

2. India vs Pakistan, 2007

India and Pakistan had already played a humdinger of a contest in the initial stages of the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007. MS Dhoni’s men beat Pakistan in a ‘Bowl Out’ in the first meeting between the arch-rivals in the shortest format. Both teams went on to play the final at The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. India batted first and posted 157/5 as Gautam Gambhir top-scored with a brilliant 75 off 54 balls. Rohit Sharma also played a crucial 30-run knock at the back end of the innings to take the Men in Blue past the 150-run mark.

In reply, Irfan Pathan bowled brilliantly, but Misbah-ul-Haq kept Pakistan in the hunt. Joginder Sharma was given the task of defending 13 runs in the last over. He started with a wide before following it up with a dot. However, the next ball went for a six, bringing the Pakistan dugout back to life. The joy, however, was short-lived as Joginder dismissed Misbah, who went for an infamous ramp that was caught by Sreesanth at short fine-leg. The Men in Green were bowled out for 152, as India tasted glory.

1. West Indies vs England, 2016

It will be hard to beat the 2016 T20 World Cup final in terms of thrill factor, as it comprised one of the most remarkable finishes in the history of the sport. At the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata, the West Indies won the toss and opted to bowl first. Joe Root scored a fluent half-century, as the Three Lions amassed 155/9 in 20 overs.

In reply, Marlon Samuels held the innings together, even as the other batters struggled to get accustomed to the sluggish track. In the last over, the Caribbean side needed 19 runs off six balls. Carlos Brathwaite was on strike, with Ben Stokes set to bowl. The Windies all-rounder smashed four consecutive sixes with an air of nonchalance to take his team to a stunning win. The West Indies became the first team to win the T20 World Cup twice. Samuels remained unbeaten on 85 off 66 balls and was awarded Player of the Match.