T20 World Cup: Champions over the years

In a first, this edition's World Cup will see 20 teams participating in the tournament. Adding to the excitement the anticipated tourney will be co-hosted by the USA and West Indies. This will be the first ICC tournament in the US.

The World Cup will begin on June 2 and will conclude on June 29 after 55 matches.

As the cricketing world embraces itself for the 9th edition of the T20 World Cup, let's look at the teams that have clinched the coveted trophy over the years.

The T20 World Cup was first played in 2007 and last played in 2022. The mega ICC event will be held for every 2 years and it had been missed in 2018 due to a busy calendar with bilateral cricket and the 2020 edition was rescheduled to 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The inaugural edition of the short format World Cup was an instant hit among fans. South Africa held the tournament and 12 teams had participated. The final of this season was played between India and Pakistan and the title was clinched by the Dhoni-led India in a bowl out.

Pakistan after a close defeat in the 07 edition, have come back stronger and lifted the trophy. England had hosted the second edition. The finals was played between Sri Lanka and Pakistan, the Younis Khan-led side had won it by 8 wickets.

The third edition of the T20 World Cup was hosted by the West Indies. The final was played by arch rivals, England and Australia. Paul Collingwood-led England had lifted the trophy making it their first ever world cup victory.

Island nation Sri Lanka hosted the fourth edition of the T20 World Cup. The hosts and the West Indies faced each-other in the final. The West Indies have defeated Sri Lanka by 36 runs and lifted the trophy.

After playing in two T20 World Cup finals, Sri Lanka have gotten their name on the tournament's title. The fifth edition of the ICC event was held in Bangladesh and the final was played by India and Sri Lanka.

The 16 edition was held in India. For the first time, 16 teams have competed in the T20 World Championship. Australia and West Indies faced each-other in the finals and the carribeans disappointed the Aussies to lift their second short format world cup.

Neighbouring countries Australia and New Zealand have fought for the trophy in the finals of this edition and the kangaroos have overpowered the black caps to lift their first T20 world championship under Finch's captaincy. The seventh edition was hosted by the UAE.

Australia hosted the Eighth edition of the T20 World Cup and also reached the finals in a bid to defend the trophy. But England regained the lost glory and clinched the title for the second time.