Indian Cricket Team. Image Credits: BCCI
India’s 5-wicket win over the West Indies at the Eden Gardens on March 1 turned out to be another landmark day in Indian cricket. The Suryakumar Yadav-led outfit chased down India’s highest-ever T20 World Cup total of 195 runs and confirmed their tickets to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final.
Having lost to South Africa previously, it was a virtual quarter-final, and thanks to a masterful 97* (50) from Sanju Samson, the defending champions became the last team to qualify for the next stage. This semi-final qualification means they have now reached the final four of the ICC events a record 20 times, extending the lead over Australia, England and the others.
Also Read: List Of Records Broken By India With Spectacular Victory Over West Indies In T20 World Cup 2026
India becomes the first team to reach 20 semi-finals in ICC events
To go alongside the two fifty-over World Cups, two T20 World Cups and three ICC Champions Trophy, India have now reached the semi-finals in ICC events the most times. During the Champions Trophy in 2025, they had gone past Australia and this time they have managed to stretch their lead after Australia’s group-stage exit.
The likes of England, New Zealand and South Africa, who will also play the semi-finals of the ongoing tournament, have now come closer to Australia. The Kiwis, with their 19th qualification, have managed to qualify for the six-time ODI World Cup winners. The 2022 T20 World Cup winners, England, have equalled Pakistan in the feat.
Most semi-finals in ICC events
1. India – 20*
2. Australia – 18
3. New Zealand – 18*
4. England – 16*
5. Pakistan – 16
6. South Africa – 15*
7. Sri Lanka – 11
8. West Indies – 11
9. Afghanistan – 1
10. Bangladesh – 1
11. Kenya – 1
India’s record in the semi-finals of ICC events
The Indian team reached the final four of an ICC event for the first time in 1983, when they subsequently won the World Cup. Following the maiden appearance, they made 7 more semi-final appearances in the World Cups, 6 appearances in the ICC Champions Trophy and three in the T20 World Cups ahead of the 2026 edition.
Breakdown of India’s semi-final appearances in ICC events
1. ICC Cricket World Cup – 8 (1983, 1987, 1996, 2003, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023)
2. ICC Champions Trophy – 6 (1998, 2000, 2002, 2013, 2017, 2025)
3. ICC Men’s T20 World Cup – 6 (2007, 2014, 2016, 2022, 2024, 2026*)
India eyes historic third T20 World Cup title
The Indian team ended their 11-year ICC trophy wait in 2024 under Rohit Sharma when they won the Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. The 2024 title marked their second title win since the inaugural edition of 2007 in South Africa, and they became only the third team to lift the trophy on multiple occasions.
Ahead of the home event in 2026, they were tied with the West Indies (2012 and 2016) and England (2010 and 2022) with two trophies each. As things stand, only India and England are left in the semi-finals of the ongoing tournament, with a chance to achieve this unique feat.
The two teams will face off at the Wankhede to determine one of the finalists, and the winner will have a chance to become the first to win three T20 World Cups.
Additionally, if India wins the 2026 edition, they will also become the first team to defend this title and win the tournament at home turf. No other host has previously won the tournament.
Also Read: Sanju Samson Placed On Same Pedestal As Rohit Sharma
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