India broke their 11-year ICC title drought by defeating South Africa in the 2024 T20 World Cup final. Batting first after winning the toss, the Men in Blue scored 176-7, with Virat Kohli leading the charge with 76 off 59 balls. In response, the Proteas managed 169-8, as Hardik Pandya’s 3-20 and pivotal contributions from Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah sealed the victory.
This triumph in Barbados marked a historic achievement as India became the first team in Men’s T20 World Cup history to win the title without losing a single game. They won three of their group matches, with one game abandoned due to rain. Topping Group A, India also led Group 1 in the Super 8 stage, defeating Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Australia. Rohit Sharma’s squad then overcame England in the semifinals in Guyana before clinching a nail-biting final against South Africa.
Team India Set to Defend Their T20 World Cup Title at Home
The next ICC Men’s T20 World Cup will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka in February-March 2026. While the exact schedule is yet to be confirmed, there is a strong possibility that the final will be held in India.
The 2026 edition will feature 20 teams, similar to the 2024 format. The host nations and the top eight teams from the previous tournament will automatically qualify, along with the next two teams in the ICC Men’s T20I Team Rankings. The remaining eight spots will be filled through qualifiers.
The 20 teams will be divided into four groups of five. The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super 8 round, where they will be split into two groups of four. The top two teams from each group will then proceed to the semifinals and final. This format mirrors the one used in the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the United States.
If India successfully defends their title, they will become the first team to win three Men’s T20 World Cups. Currently, India, England, and the West Indies have each won the tournament twice.
Stay tuned for more updates as the excitement builds for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup!
