Every year the international cricket council organizes lots of tournaments. Basically, the ICC organizes 4 tournaments every year. Those tournaments are- T20 World Cup, Champions Trophy, World Cup, and World test Championship. After every two years, the T20 world cup and the Champions Trophy takes place whereas the World Cup takes place after every four years. And the World Championship happened for the first time and the winner is New Zealand. The matches continue throughout the years and the winner is decided at the final between two teams. Let us take a look at every inaugural ICC tournament winner.

1. West Indies

The first-ever biggest tournament in One-Day International cricket took place in 1975. The inaugural of the men's cricket world cup was organized by ICC in 1975. The venue was England and it was played from 7 June to 21st June. West Indies became the first country to win the World Cup in the Lord's. Australia and West Indies played the final where West Indies defeated Australia by 17 runs and became the first world cup winners. The contribution of the captain was immense in the game as he made the most number of runs for the team by making 102. As a result, the captain of the West Indies team, Clive Lloyd became the Player of the Match.

Read also: 5 Youngest Captains to lift the ICC Cricket World Cup

2. South Africa

The inaugural of the the ICC Champions Trophy took place in 1998. Back then Champions Trophy was denoted as Mini World Cup. The final match between West Indies and South Africa was exciting and very thrilling. The match was in the hand of West Indies till the first 75 overs. Then entered Hansie Cronje and his crew. The match took an entire turn and South Africa became the first ever winner of the Champions Trophy under the captaincy of Hansie Cronje. The worldwide famous all rounder, Jacques Kallis became the player of the match and player of the tournament as well.

3. India

Under the captaincy of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, India won the inaugural 2007 ICC T20 World Cup final in the Imperial Wanderers Stadium. The final was the most exciting match as it was between the biggest rivals- India and Pakistan. Gautam Gambhir scoreboard 75 runs from 54 balls and became the highest run-scorer of the final. Irfan Khan bowled for 4 overs and gave only 16 runs by picking up 3 wickets. Also, Irfan Khan became the man of the match and Shahid Afridi became the man of the series.

4. New Zealand

It has not been even a week since the World Test Championship final. After long two years, India and New Zealand played the finals in the Southampton stadium. The intensified final was disturbed by England's rainy weather quite a few times but the match was extended and New Zealand became the first-ever champion of the inaugural World Test Championship. The performance of the New Zealand team was exactly how a team should play in the finals. Starting from bowling to batting to fielding they gave their best and no wonders why they won the series as well.

The newest addition to the Kiwi bowling lineup, Kyle Jamieson became the man of the match for his outstanding display on the field. He destroyed the Indian batting lineup by picking up the most crucial wickets of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara, Rishabh Pant. The entire team showed outstanding performance under the captaincy of Kane Williamson. As a result, they won the first-ever World Test Championship.

India is a nation where cricket is not just a sport but a religion. The crowd, the stadiums, and most importantly, the passion for cricket that the vibrant atmosphere brings, have made every ICC tournament hosted on Indian soil unforgettable.

Therefore, when it comes to hosting ICC tournaments, India delivers an experience like no other.

This article will take you through the history and highlights of ICC tournaments hosted by India that captivated millions.

ICC Men's Cricket World Cup

The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, inaugurated in 1975, has had 13 seasons so far. Out of which, India hosted the tournament 4 times, in the years: 1987, 1996, 2011, 2023. They are also scheduled to host the 2031 season, alongside Bangladesh.

Here's the detailed highlight of each year:

1987: First edition in India, co-hosted with Pakistan

The 1987 Cricket World Cup was the first time the tournament was held outside England. It was known as the "Reliance Cup" due to sponsorship and was also the first 50-over WC, reduced from 60 overs in previous editions.

Co-hosted with Pakistan, India topped the group stage and had a great season. However, they were eliminated in the semi-finals by England at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.

The Final was played at the iconic Eden Gardens, Kolkata, between Australia and England. Australia won their first title and lifted the World Cup with pride on Indian soil.

1996: Second edition with co-hosts Pakistan and Sri Lanka

This edition was hosted by India, along with Pakistan and Sri Lanka. India faced a controversial semi-final defeat against Sri Lanka at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. It was caused due to crowd disturbance and India's collapsing run chase, which ultimately led to the game being abandoned.

Sri Lanka won their first World Cup title by defeating Australia and became the first co-host to do so.

2011: India's home triumph

Co-hosted with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, this was India's ultimate dream and crowning moment. Led by MS Dhoni, India had a dominant campaign and went on to win the World Cup, defeating Sri Lanka in a memorable final.

India became the first team to win the World Cup on home soil. The fact that the final match was held at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, makes it even more special. The roar of the crowd, legendary performances, and the winning six will be forever etched in the hearts of millions.

The final was also the first time two Asian teams played against each other in the tournament's history.

#ThisDayThatYear - In 2011, “Dhoni finishes off in style. India lift the World Cup after 28 years” - in @RaviShastriOfc's immortal voice pic.twitter.com/Q61sLx10VA

— BCCI (@BCCI) April 2, 2017

Read Also: India's 2011 World Cup winning squad: Where are they now?

2023: India's unfulfilled dream and heartbreak on home soil

As the sole host, India delivered a spectacular performance throughout the tournament. They dominated every opponent in the group stage and the semi-final, without losing a single match across all venues.

However, despite their brilliant efforts, they lost to the Australian side in the final, held at the world's largest stadium, Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. This was a major heartbreak for the team and fans, who dreamed of a home victory after 12 years.

Virat Kohli was named the player of the tournament, setting a new record for most runs in a single WC edition, and Mohammed Shami was the leading wicket-taker.

ICC Men's T20 World Cup

India has formally hosted the ICC Men's T20 World Cup twice. Here's a summary of those tournaments:

2016: A carnival of T20 cricket on Indian soil

India battled through every match brilliantly in the season with a great squad. However, their journey ended in the semi-final with a high-scoring loss against the West Indies at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.

This season was a special one and delivered many dramatic, nail-biting encounters. The final match, held at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, is also popular for its thrilling finish, where Carlos Brathwaite hit four consecutive sixes to seal the victory for WI against England.

Read Also: Who scored the fastest century in T20 World Cups?

2021: India's hostship amidst global challenges (Held in UAE & Oman)

Although India was the designated host, the tournament was moved to the UAE and Oman due to the prevailing COVID-19 situation in India. They also had a disappointing campaign, failing to qualify for the semi-finals.

ICC Men's Champions Trophy

India officially hosted the ICC Men's Champions Trophy once, in 2006, and is set to host the 2029 edition.

2006: India's first and only edition as hosts

This was the fifth edition of the Champions Trophy and the first time India had the sole hosting rights. They had a disappointing start to the season and failed to progress beyond the group stage, leading to an early exit.

The tournament featured 10 teams, and the Australian side, led by Ricky Ponting, emerged as champions.

ICC Women's Cricket World Cup

India has hosted the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 3 times, in the years 1978, 1997, and 2013. They are also scheduled to co-host the 2025 season.

Read Also: ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 Full Schedule announced; India to face Pakistan on October 5

1978: The inaugural WC on Indian soil

This was India's debut World Cup appearance as well as the first time hosting the tournament. They lost all three matches against Australia, England, and New Zealand in the round-robin format, and finished fourth (last).

This was the first time the tournament was being hosted outside England. 

1997: A record-breaking season in India

This was the largest Women's World Cup at that time, featuring 11 teams and 32 matches across various venues in India. India put up a strong fight, but was defeated by Australia in the semis.

The final at Eden Gardens attracted a significant crowd, showcasing the growing interest in women's cricket. Australia won their fourth Women's World Cup title, beating New Zealand, and their second on Indian soil.

2013: India's early exit in the home tournament

This edition saw several close matches throughout the group stage. India, as hosts, had a disappointing campaign and failed to go beyond the group stage. Yet again, Australia secured their sixth WC title, and the 3rd on Indian soil.

ICC Women's T20 World Cup

The ICC Women's T20 World Cup, organised in 2009, has been conducted for 9 seasons so far. India has hosted the tournament once, in 2016.

2016: A global showcase of women's T20 cricket in India

This tournament, held alongside the Men's T20 World Cup, served as a significant platform. India had a challenging season, winning only a single match against Bangladesh and losing the remaining ones.

West Indies emerged as champions in an intense final against Australia and lifted their first T20 World Cup title.

Read Also: Top 10 fastest centuries in Women's T20Is

Upcoming ICC tournaments to be hosted by India:

Everyone has an opinion on who the best Indian captain is, especially when it comes to ICC tournaments. The leadership role has been carried forward by many legendary cricketers who gave us moments to cherish forever. They carried the hopes of the nation in events like World Cup and Champions Trophy.

Keeping aside the biasness and individual preferences, it is now time to look at the numbers and check facts. Who truly performed best when it mattered most and led the team to history wins?

Here we are, ranking all Indian captains in ICC events to give you a clear picture.

1. MS Dhoni (2007-2017) | 3 ICC Trophies

• ICC T20 World Cup: 2007
• ICC Cricket World Cup: 2011
• ICC Champions Trophy: 2013

MS Dhoni is the most successful Indian captain, who led them to win all the 3 major ICC titles during his tenure. From using his tactical brilliance under pressure to stepping up when the team needed him the most, this man has done it all!

The begining of Dhoni's captaincy era occured with a historic win in the inaugural season of T20 World Cup in 2007, where he stepped into the leadership role for the first time. And guess what, there was no looking back from that point.

Under his captaincy, India brought the ODI World Cup home after 28 long years in 2011, defeating Sri Lanka in a sensational final. He went on to win the 3rd trophy to fill his shining cabinet, with the 2013 Champions Trophy win.

Dhoni's time as the captain was a remarkable journey, filled with joyous wins and celebrations. He truly proved there is only one 'Captain Cool,' and shall forever be!

Dhoni's captaincy stats in ICC events:

Read Also: MS Dhoni's captaincy record in ICC Finals

2. Rohit Sharma (2022-present) | 2 ICC Trophies

• ICC T20 World Cup: 2024
• ICC Champions Trophy: 2025

Rohit Sharma, with his incredible captaincy skills, not only joined this elite list, but also climbed to the top in a very short period. He took over the charge in 2022 and started moving forward at a good pace.

In 2023, Rohit led India to the World Test Championship Final, as well as the ODI World Cup Final, but the results didn't go in their favour. However, the team bounced back the following year and won the T20 World Cup after dominating throughout the tournament.

India got back-to-back reasons to celebrate, as the team brought the 2025 Champions Trophy home as well! With this feat, Rohit became the first and the only captain to lead a team to all ICC tournament finals.

Rohit announced his retirement from T20Is (in 2024, after the WC win) and Test cricket (in 2025). He will continue to lead India in the ODI format, with his eyes fixated on the 2027 World Cup.

Sharma's captain stats in ICC events:

3. Kapil Dev (1982-1987) | 1 ICC Trophy

• ICC Cricket World Cup: 1983

Kapil Dev is the first World Cup winning captain for India, who lifted the trophy at the iconic Lord's, after a phenomenal victory over West Indies in 1983. At just 24 years of age, he became the youngest captain to win the WC for any team.

Although his captaincy stint was relatively short, but it was a time to remember as Indian cricket team saw a rise competing at the grandest stage. Dev led the nation to their first-ever ICC trophy, which is truly unforgettable.

Read Also: ICC tournaments hosted by India – History & Highlights

Dev's captaincy stats in ICC events:

4. Sourav Ganguly (2000-2005) | 1 ICC Trophy

• ICC Champions Trophy: 2002

Sourav Ganguly's captaincy is widely regarded as a transformational period for Indian Cricket. He took over the team during a difficult period and instilled new sense of belief and competitiveness.

As the captain, he led India to reach the final of 2003 World Cup and 2000 Champions Trophy. The heroic moment arrived in 2002 Champions Trophy, when India performed excellently throughout and reached the finals to meet the host Sri Lanka.

The final match was washed out in Colombo, which led to the declaration of joint winners. However, this title marked India's first in the Champions Trophy, led elegantly by Ganguly.

Ganguly's captaincy stats in ICC events:

Read Also: Most successful Test captains from India

5. Virat Kohli (2014-2022)

• ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup: 2008

While Virat Kohli may not have secured a major ICC trophy as the senior Indian team captain, his leadership journey includes a significant triumph: captaining the U-19 team to a World Cup victory.

So, when the discussion is about greatest Indian captains, this legendary player shall always get a mention. He is one of those players who redefined Indian cricket.

His record as India's most successful Test captain, with an impressive 40 wins, solidifies his standing as one of the game's absolute best, consistently boosting team spirits and driving high standards.

Some things cannot be just measured by trophies, and King Kohli's tale is one of those that the future generations will hear and admire.

Cricket is a game of glorious highs, as well as, not-so-glorious lows at times! Besides the massive sixes, aerial catches, and other heroic moments, there's the other side of the game where a player walks back in the pavilion without scoring a single run.

You got it right, we are talking about the infamous "duck." So, get ready to discover the top 10 players with most ducks in ICC events.

Here's the complete list:

10. Mohammed Siraj (11 ducks) | India

Known for his fiery and aggressive bowling for India, Mohammed Siraj holds the 10th place for most ducks in ICC events, which clearly states how batting is not his forte. Siraj has a total of 11 ducks out of 51 innings.

Read Also: ICC Trophy winners list year-wise (2000-2025)

9. Virat Kohli (11 ducks) | India

Virat Kohli being here is perhaps the most astonishing name on the list. Apart from his exceptional batting records across all formats, and having scored 6451 runs in ICC events, he also has 11 ducks in 166 innings.

8. Khaled Ahmed (12 ducks) | Bangladesh

A right-arm medium fast bowler from Bangladesh, Khaled Ahmed, appears in the list for having 12 ducks in ICC events in the span of 2021 to 2024. His focus is primarily on bowling and he serves as a typical lower-order batsman.

7. Mominul Haque (12 ducks) | Bangladesh

Another Bangladeshi player with 12 ducks makes his way on the list. Mominul Haque, a left-handed batter and former captain of Bangladesh, holds the 7th position, despite delivering impressive ICC performances.

6. Keshav Maharaj (12 ducks) | South Africa

South Africa's leading orthodox spinner, Keshav Maharaj, who is known for his ability to surprise with the bat sometimes, also has 12 ducks in 65 innings. He is the only South African player in the list.

Read Also: Is 2025 the miraculous year in sports history?

5. Jonny Bairstow (12 ducks) | England

Jonny Bairstow found himself walking back to the dugout without scoring a single run 12 times in an ICC event. His explosive strokeplay and skill-set is undeniably good, but it is the count for ducks that places him at no. 5 in here.

4. James Anderson (12 ducks) | England

England's legendary fast bowler, James Anderson, also has 12 ducks in ICC events, spanning from 2003 to 2024. For a player whose career has been defined by his unparalleled legacy, a few early dismissals do not really matter.

Read Also: 6 cricketers who announced their retirements since last month

3. Pat Cummins (13 ducks) | Australia

Australia's captain and one of the world's premier all-rounder, Pat Cummins, has been out for a duck 13 times in ICC events. He has been remarkable with the ball and also backed up the team as a handy lower-order batter.

However, the intense quality of bowling and pressure in ICC tournaments make the best ones falter.

2. Tim Southee (14 ducks) | New Zealand

Next up is New Zealand's swing master, who often showed a knack for hitting some powerful boundaries while batting down the order. That's right! Tim Southee has 14 ducks in ICC events, which is the second-most by any player.

Read Also: Most runs in an over in tests

1. Jasprit Bumrah (21 ducks) | India

As we come down to the final name on the list, we find the world's best bowler Jasprit Bumrah, with 21 ducks, holding the place tight. The one who so frequently dismisses opponents for a duck, and holds spectacular bowling records, tops this chart as well.

Bumrah has stunned fans every time he has come down to play. Be it scoring the most runs in a single over in tests or having the most ducks, this man will get you everything!

Winning an ICC tournament final demands exceptional skill from every player, but history shows that a phenomenal bowling performance can be the ultimate difference-maker. Destructive spells can break down the opposition in no-time and seal the victory single-handedly.

It is time to revisit such unbelievably good performances from bowlers across the world. Check out the list of best figures in an ICC tournament final.

1. Pat Cummins (6/28) vs SA | ICC WTC 2025 Final

• Wickets: 6
• Runs: 28
• Overs: 18.1
• Economy: 1.54

Pat Cummins' 6/28 against South Africa in the 2025 WTC Final has broken all the long-standing record for best figures in an ICC tournament final. On a challenging Lord's pitch, he brilliantly ripped through the South African batting line-up in their first innings.

Cummins was particularly impactful after the lunch break on Day 2, where he single-handedly shattered their middle and lower order, taking wickets of the skipper Bavuma, Wiaan Mulder, and others.

His spell restricted the Proteas to only 138 runs, giving Australia a first-innings lead of 74 runs.

read Also: Most 5-wicket hauls by a captain in Tests

2. Jacques Kallis (5/30) vs WI | ICC Champions Trophy 1998 Final

• Wickets: 5
• Runs: 30
• Overs: 7.3
• Economy: 4.00

Jacques Kallis was the key all-rounder who helped South Africa secure their first-ever ICC title in 1998 with his spectacular performance. He contributed with the bat, but what stood out was his 5-wicket haul (for only 30 runs) that took down half of the West Indies batting line-up.

This performance was a glimpse of the wonderful career he had as one of the world's premier all-rounders.

3. Kyls Jamieson (5/31) vs IND | ICC WTC 2021 Final

• Wickets: 5
• Runs: 31
• Overs: 22
• Economy: 1.40

Kyle Jamieson literally blew team India away with his 5/31 spell in the WTC 2021 Final, earning the trophy as well as POTM title. His ability to produce extra bounce on a green Southampton pitch dismissed dangerous batters like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Rishabh Pant.

His spell helped New Zealand take a lead in the first innings which was crucial for their eight-wicket victory.

4. Joel Garner (5/38) vs ENG | ICC Cricket World Cup 1979 Final

• Wickets: 5
• Runs: 38
• Overs: 11
• Economy: 3.45

Joel Garner's 5/38 against England in the 1979 CWC Final is one of the most iconic spells in the World Cup history. His towering height and lethal accuracy bagged him five wickets in a mere 11 balls.

After Viv Richards' magnificent century in the first innings, which put out a strong 286 on board, Garner brilliantly took the charge to slow the English batters down, never letting them reach near the total.

This performance secured a 98-run victory for West Indies, along with their second consecutive World Cup win.

Read Also: Most Wickets in ICC Tournament Finals

5. Gary Gilmour (5/48) vs WI (ICC Cricket World Cup 1975 Final)

• Wickets: 5
• Runs: 48
• Overs: 12
• Economy: 4.00

Gary Gilmour was Australia's star bowler in the ICC CWC 1975 Final who gave all his efforts taking 5 wickets for 48 runs but the team ultimately fell short at the end. Coming off a stunning 6/14 in the semi-final, he continued his impressive form on the biggest stage.

His spell provided Australia a fighting chance to defend the total in a high-scoring final match, making it one of the very few five-wicket hauls ever taken in a World Cup Final.

India's performance in the ICC events has been mixed in recent years. The title win over South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2024 ended India’s 11-year-long ICC title drought after it last won a global tournament back in 2013 - the ICC Champions Trophy.

Their latest triumph came via Champions Trophy 2025, as they defeated New Zealand by four wickets in Dubai in the final. It was the second consecutive ICC trophy for India under Rohit Sharma's captaincy.

So far, India have collected 7 ICC trophies including two 50 over World Cups, three Champions Trophy, and two T20 World Cups in 2007 and 2024.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni has won 3 ICC events as a captain and Rohit Sharma has 2 in those 7 ICC trophies that India won so far. In this article, SportzPoint will give you  details on India's performances in every ICC tournaments so far.

ICC Cricket World Cup (1975 - 2023):

The International Cricket Council (ICC) started the ODI World Cup back in the year 1975. From then, ICC organized the tournament a total of 13 times. Australia are the most successful in the format as they won 6 titles so far.

India won their first World Cup under Kapil Dev back in 1983 and next under Mahendra Singh Dhoni in 2011. With 2 titles India are the second most successful team alongside West Indies in the 50 overs format after Australia. 

Read Also: Most ICC Trophy wins by any team

Indian Men's Cricket team also lost two ODI World Cup finals, one under Sourav Ganguly in 2003 and another one under Rohit Sharma in 2023. Here is how India performed in the each of the 13 editions of the ICC Cricket World Cup.

India's performance in every ICC Cricket World Cup

ICC Champions Trophy (1998 - 2025):

ICC started a new tournament of the 50 overs format in 1998 called the Champions Trophy. It was also referred as a "Mini World Cup". Till 2006 the Champion's Trophy was held every two years. After that, it continues with a gap of 4 years from 2009.

In 2003, India reached the Finals of the tournament along with Sri Lanka. As the match got washed out and India were declared joint winners.

However, India finally won the ICC Champions Trophy under MS Dhoni in 2013 after defeating England by 5 runs.

In 2025, India defeated New Zealand by four wickets in Dubai to lift the trophy for the third time. It was the second consecutive ICC trophy for India under Rohit Sharma's captaincy.

Let's take a look at India's performance in the tournament so far.

Read Also | ICC Men's Champions trophy winners list

India's performance in Champions Trophy so far

ICC T20 World Cup (2007 - 2024):

International Cricket Council introduced a new format marquee tournament in 2007 as T20 Cricket started to grow globally. ICC started the T20 World Cup in the year 2007. India defeated their arch-rival Pakistan in the final that year and won the inaugural T20 World Cup under MS Dhoni.

Read Also: India's performance in every T20 World Cup 

Since then, the Indian cricket team became runners-up in 2014 and then finally lifted the trophy again in 2024 under Rohit Sharma.

India's performance in every T20 World Cup

ICC World Test Championship (2019-2025):

ICC World Test Championship started in the year 2019 as New Zealand won the inaugural WTC after defeating India in the ICC World Test Championship 2021 Final.

India once again qualified for the Test Championship final in 2023 and this time, it was Australia who challenged them. India bottled their chance to win an ICC trophy after waiting for a decade and lost the match by a huge margin of 209 runs. 

In 2023-25 World Test Championship, India failed to qualify for the final.

India's performance in every WTC