T20 World Cup Winning Captains – Complete List of Leaders Who Lifted the Trophy

January 20, 2026

The Impact of T20 Cricket on Leadership

T20 cricket has completely transformed how the game is played and led. With limited overs, constant pressure, and rapidly changing match situations, captaincy in T20 cricket requires sharp instincts, bold decision-making, and the ability to stay calm under pressure. Since the inception of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2007, leadership has played a decisive role in determining champions.

The influence of T20 cricket is not limited to the shortest format alone. Its aggressive mindset has impacted ODI and Test cricket as well, encouraging teams to chase results rather than settle for draws. In this fast-paced environment, captains who can inspire confidence and adapt quickly have found lasting success.

As of now, more than 100 international teams play T20 cricket globally, but only a select few captains have earned the honor of lifting the prestigious T20 World Cup trophy.

List of T20 World Cup Winning Captains

Overview of Champions

Captain	Team	Year	Final Result
MS Dhoni	India	2007	Won by 5 runs vs Pakistan
Younis Khan	Pakistan	2009	Won by 8 wickets vs Sri Lanka
Paul Collingwood	England	2010	Won by 17 runs vs Australia
Daren Sammy	West Indies	2012	Won by 36 runs vs Sri Lanka
Lasith Malinga	Sri Lanka	2014	Won by 6 wickets vs India
Daren Sammy	West Indies	2016	Won by 4 wickets vs England
Aaron Finch	Australia	2021	Won by 8 wickets vs New Zealand
Jos Buttler	England	2022	Won by 5 wickets vs Pakistan
Rohit Sharma	India	2024	Won by 7 runs vs South Africa

MS Dhoni – India’s Historic Beginning (2007)

A Captain Who Changed Indian Cricket

MS Dhoni’s appointment as captain for the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007 came after India’s disappointing exit from the ODI World Cup earlier that year. With senior players opting out, Dhoni led a young and fearless squad.

India’s dramatic final victory against Pakistan remains one of the most iconic matches in T20 history. Dhoni’s calm leadership, especially his bold decision to hand the final over to Joginder Sharma, showcased his confidence in players.

Dhoni went on to become the most successful T20 World Cup captain in terms of matches led, guiding India in 33 games and winning 20 of them.

Younis Khan – Pakistan’s Redemption (2009)

Completing Unfinished Business

After losing the 2007 final, Pakistan entered the 2009 T20 World Cup with determination. Under Younis Khan’s leadership, Pakistan delivered a commanding performance throughout the tournament.

They defeated Sri Lanka convincingly in the final, securing Pakistan’s first ICC title since the 1992 ODI World Cup. Shahid Afridi’s all-round brilliance and Umar Gul’s wicket-taking spells were key factors, but Younis Khan’s calm leadership brought everything together.

Paul Collingwood – England’s First T20 Triumph (2010)

England’s rise in white-ball cricket began with Paul Collingwood’s leadership in the 2010 T20 World Cup. England defeated Australia in the final to lift their maiden ICC T20 trophy.

Collingwood emphasized discipline, adaptability, and teamwork—qualities that later became the foundation of England’s limited-overs success.

Daren Sammy – The Greatest T20 World Cup Captain

West Indies’ Golden Era

Daren Sammy stands alone as the only captain to win the T20 World Cup twice. He led West Indies to glory in 2012 and 2016, creating a legacy unmatched in T20 history.

Sammy’s leadership style focused on unity, belief, and player freedom. Despite West Indies being underdogs in both tournaments, his ability to inspire match-winners like Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels, and Carlos Brathwaite proved decisive.

Out of 18 matches as captain, Sammy won 11—including two finals.

Lasith Malinga – Sri Lanka’s Moment of Glory (2014)

Lasith Malinga captained Sri Lanka to their first and only T20 World Cup title in 2014. After losing finals in 2009 and 2012, Sri Lanka finally broke the jinx by defeating India in the final.

Malinga’s leadership and experience helped Sri Lanka maintain composure in high-pressure situations, while Kumar Sangakkara’s farewell innings sealed the historic victory.

Aaron Finch – Australia’s First T20 Title (2021)

Australia had long struggled in T20 World Cups despite being dominant in other formats. That changed in 2021 when Aaron Finch led Australia to their maiden T20 World Cup title.

Australia defeated New Zealand in the final, with Finch’s tactical clarity and balanced team selections playing a major role in the campaign.

Jos Buttler – England’s Second Crown (2022)

Jos Buttler led England to their second T20 World Cup title in 2022, making England one of the most successful teams in T20 history.

England’s victory against Pakistan in the final highlighted Buttler’s calm leadership, flexible batting order, and strong bowling combinations.

Rohit Sharma – India’s Long-Awaited Return (2024)

Rohit Sharma guided India to their second T20 World Cup title in 2024, ending a long ICC trophy drought. India’s narrow 7-run win against South Africa in the final showcased tactical discipline and mental strength.

Rohit became one of the few captains to win ICC trophies in multiple formats, further cementing his leadership legacy.

Conclusion

T20 World Cup winning captains are remembered not just for lifting trophies, but for defining eras. From Dhoni’s calm revolution to Daren Sammy’s inspirational leadership and Rohit Sharma’s modern tactical brilliance, each captain has left a lasting impact on the game.

As T20 cricket continues to evolve, leadership will remain the deciding factor in future World Cups.

Tags: T20 World Cup winning captains, T20 World Cup winners list, ICC T20 World Cup captains, MS Dhoni T20 World Cup, Daren Sammy T20 record, Rohit Sharma T20 World Cup, Jos Buttler T20 captain, T20 cricket history