From Two World Cups to Asia Cup Glory: India's Historic Run as No.1 T20I Team

England's victory over India in the fifth T20I did more than seal a dominant series win-it officially ended one of the greatest periods of sustained success in T20 international cricket.

After more than four years at the summit, India have relinquished the No. 1 spot in the ICC Men's T20I Team Rankings.

Their reign began in February 2022 under Rohit Sharma and survived a leadership transition to Suryakumar Yadav following India's T20 World Cup triumph in 2024. During that time, India established themselves as the benchmark in the shortest format, winning global tournaments, continental titles and bilateral series with remarkable consistency.

Here's a look at everything India achieved while sitting atop the ICC T20I rankings.

February 2022: India become the world's No.1 T20I team

India climbed to the top of the ICC Men's T20I rankings in February 2022 under Rohit Sharma, beginning a period of dominance that would last more than four years.

The team quickly established itself as one of the most consistent white-ball sides in world cricket, rarely relinquishing its grip on the top spot despite constant competition from England, Australia, Pakistan and South Africa.

2024: Ending a 17-year wait for T20 World Cup glory

India's biggest achievement during their reign came in June 2024 when Rohit Sharma's side defeated South Africa by seven runs in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup final in Barbados.

The victory ended India's 17-year wait for a second T20 World Cup title and made them the first team to win the tournament undefeated.

Soon after lifting the trophy, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja retired from T20 internationals, signalling the beginning of a new era.

2025: Asian supremacy once again

India followed their World Cup success by winning a record-extending ninth Asia Cup title in 2025.

They defeated Pakistan by five wickets in the final in Dubai after Tilak Varma's unbeaten 69 guided the chase, while Kuldeep Yadav starred with the ball.

The triumph reinforced India's dominance in Asian cricket and added another trophy to an already growing cabinet.

2026: History repeated on home soil

Many questioned whether India could defend their world title after several senior players retired.

Instead, Suryakumar Yadav's team achieved something no men's side had managed before.

India defeated New Zealand by 96 runs in the final in Ahmedabad to retain the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, becoming:

• The first team to successfully defend the Men's T20 World Cup.
• The first team to win three Men's T20 World Cup titles.
• The first men's team to lift the trophy on home soil.

Sanju Samson finished as Player of the Tournament, while Jasprit Bumrah was named Player of the Match in the final.

Bilateral dominance

India's success wasn't limited to ICC tournaments.

Across Rohit Sharma's captaincy and the early stages of Suryakumar Yadav's tenure, India won 21 bilateral series across Tests, ODIs and T20Is.

The run included victories over several of the world's strongest sides both at home and overseas, highlighting the team's consistency beyond global tournaments.

That streak finally came to an end when England secured their first-ever bilateral T20I series win over India in a series of two or more matches.

Asian Games gold

India also added another historic milestone by winning the men's cricket gold medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2022.

The title, coupled with the women's team's gold medal, completed a historic double for Indian cricket at the continental event.

The end of a golden chapter

India's reign as the world's No. 1 T20I side may have ended, but the legacy it leaves behind is difficult to match.

In just over four years at the summit, India won:

• Two ICC Men's T20 World Cups (2024, 2026)
• One Asia Cup (2025)
• 21 bilateral series across formats
• Asian Games men's gold (2022)

The transition from Rohit Sharma to Suryakumar Yadav ensured that India's dominance continued even after several legends stepped away from T20 internationals.

While England have now replaced them at the top of the rankings, India's run as the world's premier T20 side will be remembered as one of the most successful eras in the format's history.