The ICC T20 World Cup 2026 is the largest ever but also perhaps the most politically charged, with off-field drama hogging the limelight in a turbulent buildup.As the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 begins on Saturday across venues in India and Sri Lanka, the tournament marks another chapter in a competition that began 19 years ago. From its first edition in South Africa in 2007 to the 2024 event in the USA and Caribbean, the T20 World Cup has seen the format grow in scale and reach.The 2026 edition will be the 10th Men’s T20 World Cup, scheduled from February 7 to March 8. The inaugural tournament featured 12 teams. The competition has since expanded to include 20 teams from around the world.So far, six teams have won the title. West Indies, England and defending champions India are the only sides to have lifted the trophy twice.

The origins of T20 cricket

T20 cricket emerged in the early 2000s as an effort to bring new audiences to the sport. The format was first played at the professional level in England in 2003 and quickly gained popularity in other countries.

2007 – South Africa

Final: India beat Pakistan by 5 runsThe first ICC Men’s T20 World Cup set the tone for what the format could offer. West Indies batter Chris Gayle struck the first ball of the tournament for four and went on to score 117 against South Africa, registering the first T20I century.The tournament featured several moments that shaped its legacy, including a bowl-out between India and Pakistan, Yuvraj Singh’s six sixes in an over, and Misbah-ul-Haq’s attempted scoop in the final.In the final at the Wanderers, India made 157 for 5, with Gautam Gambhir scoring 75 off 54 balls. Pakistan stayed in the chase before India’s bowlers applied pressure. With six needed off the last four balls and one wicket left, Misbah was caught by Sreesanth at short fine leg off Joginder Sharma, sealing India’s win.

2009 – England

Final: Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 8 wicketsThe Netherlands defeated England at Lord’s in the group stage, while Australia exited after losing two matches. The final came months after the attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore.Sri Lanka slipped to 32 for 4 before Kumar Sangakkara made 64 to guide them to 138 for 6. Pakistan chased the target with Shahid Afridi scoring an unbeaten 54 and hitting the winning run as a leg bye.

2010 – Caribbean

Final: England beat Australia by 7 wicketsAfghanistan made their first appearance in a major men’s ICC event. Australia reached the final unbeaten. England progressed despite no first-round win, advancing on net run rate.Australia posted 147 for 6 after David Hussey scored 59. England chased the target with Craig Kieswetter making 63 and Kevin Pietersen scoring 47 as they secured their first world title.

2012 – Sri Lanka

Final: West Indies beat Sri Lanka by 36 runsBrendon McCullum scored 123 off 58 balls against Bangladesh, the highest individual score in tournament history. In the final, Marlon Samuels’ 78 helped West Indies reach 137 for 6.The bowling attack then restricted Sri Lanka, with Sunil Narine taking 3 for 9. West Indies secured the title at Colombo.

2014 – Bangladesh

Final: Sri Lanka beat India by 6 wicketsThe Netherlands recorded a win over England in the Super 10s. Sri Lanka defeated West Indies in a rain-affected semifinal and then chased India’s 130 for 4 in the final.Virat Kohli scored 77 for India. Kumar Sangakkara’s unbeaten 52 guided Sri Lanka to the target, marking the final T20 appearance for him and Mahela Jayawardene.

2016 – India

Final: West Indies beat England by 4 wicketsAfghanistan defended 123 against West Indies in the group stage. West Indies later eliminated India in the semifinals.England posted 155 for 9 in the final. Needing 19 off the last over, Carlos Brathwaite hit four consecutive sixes to secure the title.

2021 – United Arab Emirates

Final: Australia beat New Zealand by 8 wicketsThe tournament was moved due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Pakistan defeated India for the first time in a men’s World Cup match.New Zealand made 172 for 4 in the final, led by Kane Williamson’s 85. Australia chased the target with contributions from David Warner and Mitch Marsh to win their first T20 title.

2022 – Australia

Final: England beat Pakistan by 5 wicketsSeveral teams faced early exits in the preliminary rounds. Pakistan reached the final despite two losses. England defeated India in the semifinal and restricted Pakistan to 137 in the final.Ben Stokes scored an unbeaten half-century as England completed the chase.

2024 – United States and Caribbean

Final: India beat South Africa by 7 runsThe tournament marked the first ICC World Cup with matches in the United States. The USA team defeated Canada and Pakistan in the group stage and advanced to the Super Eights.Afghanistan reached the semifinals after defeating Australia. India beat South Africa in the final to complete an unbeaten campaign.

India captain Suryakumar Yadav has almost confirmed Ishan Kishan as the opener for the opening game of the T20 World Cup 2026 against the USA. Kishan opened for India in the warm-up fixture against South Africa, scoring a blistering 53 (20) before retiring out. Regular opener Sanju Samson was not given a chance to play in the warm-up fixture, further signalling towards Kishan’s promotion at the top of the order.

Ahead of India’s opening fixture against the USA, Suryakumar was full of praise for Kishan, mentioning how he left everyone awestruck during his comeback in the recent series against New Zealand. When asked whether Kishan would open the innings in the World Cup, Suryakumar expressed his hope that the left-hander would continue his aggressive approach throughout the tournament and stated that he would not bat below No. 3 during the competition.

“Definitely, look at the way he has played in the last few games. We noticed it after getting up from our seats because it was international cricket. But if you look at it closely, he was playing the same way in domestic cricket as well. Even in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he was batting the same way and continued with that approach. He played at No. 3 in the T20I series. In the warm-up match, he opened. I hope he continues playing that way, whichever position he bats at. I don’t think he will bat below No. 3. But whatever opportunity he gets, I hope he bats the same way,” said Suryakumar in the pre-match press conference.

How has Samson performed since 2025?

Opening batter Sanju Samson finished the recent New Zealand series with 46 runs from five innings, with his highest score of 24 coming in the fourth T20I. His numbers as an opener in T20Is since 2025 have been alarming, as he has managed only 134 runs from 11 innings at an average of 12.18, with a highest score of 37.

On the other hand, Ishan Kishan accumulated 215 runs from four innings at an average of 53.75 and a strike rate of 231.18. He played a match-winning knock of 76 (32) in the second T20I, followed by a breathtaking century of 103 off 43 balls in the fifth fixture.

With Kishan opening in the warm-up match and Tilak Varma scoring 45 (19) on his return from injury, the duo appear to have sealed their spots in the playing XI for the opening fixture. Samson, meanwhile, is likely to be benched given his poor run of form.

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– Ends

Even though PCB still hasn’t given an official confirmation to ICC, former cricketer Irfan Pathan feels that Pakistan might change its mind and make a ‘U-turn’ on its decision to boycott the T20 World Cup match against India. Both sides are scheduled to face each other on February 15 in Colombo, but Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, confirmed on Wednesday that the players will not take the field against India.

According to reports, the ICC is hoping the PCB will backtrack amid the possibility of sanctions.

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“If you look at the previous World Cup or previous matches between India and Pakistan, it does not look like Pakistan can challenge India. Not once or twice, India have beaten Pakistan thrice in the 2025 Asia Cup. India have total dominance over them,” he added.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, India captain Suryakumar Yadav confirmed that the team will travel to Colombo for the match, irrespective of Pakistan’s decision.

According to reports, co-hosts Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) wrote to the PCB, urging them to reconsider their controversial decision, which could have an adverse impact on tourism in the island nation. Meanwhile, Pakistan captain Salman Agha has said the team will abide by the government’s directive.

“Yeah, the India game, it’s not in our control. It’s a government decision, and we respect that. Whatever they are going to say, we do that. We’re also playing three other games, and we are very excited about that. Yeah, we lost to the USA in the last World Cup, but that’s history now. It’s a new World Cup, a new team, and a new combination. And we are very excited for that,” he said.