T20 World Cup finals are always tough encounters, capable of cementing a player’s place in history. These tournaments, the pinnacle of T20 formats, often see players succumb to pressure. However, they also offer a chance for individuals to become national heroes by leading their teams to victory.
Since its inception in 2007, the T20 World Cup has witnessed many thrilling performances. Yet, only a few are remembered today. It’s easy to recall Carlos Braithwaite’s four consecutive sixes in the T20 World Cup final. However, players like Craig Kieswetter, who won the cup for their teams, also deserve recognition.
Today, we will look at some iconic performances.
Kumar Sangakkara (52/35*) – T20 World Cup 2014 Final
Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, and Lasith Malinga consistently led Sri Lanka to finals but often faced heartbreak. They lost in World Cup 2003 Semi-final, World Cup 2007 Final, T20 World Cup 2009 Final, World Cup 2011 Final, and World Cup 2012. Yet, Sri Lanka defied expectations in 2014, winning the T20 WC thanks to Sangakkara’s impeccable performance.
Chasing 131 runs against an unbeaten India, Sri Lanka faced an early setback. However, Sangakkara countered India’s formidable spin lineup and led Sri Lanka to a famous win. While Malinga and Kulasekara were heroes with their death bowling, Sangakkara finished the job.
Shahid Afridi (54/40*, 1/20) – T20 World Cup 2009 Final
After losing to India in the 2007 T20 World Cup final, Pakistan got another chance in 2009 against Sri Lanka. Pakistani bowlers rose to the occasion, restricting Sri Lanka to 138 runs. Afridi used his experience to prevent Sri Lanka from breaking free during the middle overs.
During the chase, Pakistan faced a tricky situation as Jayasuriya and Muralitharan choked them. Afridi adapted, scoring 54 runs and leading Pakistan to victory. 
Gautam Gambhir (75/54) – T20 World Cup 2007 Final
Gautam Gambhir became known for clutch performances, particularly in the 2007 T20 World Cup. In the final, he scored an iconic 75 runs, helping India post a total of 157. Although he received little support from the other end, Gambhir held the fort. Irfan Pathan won the man of the match award for his three wickets, but Gambhir played the most crucial role.
Carlos Braithwaite (34/10*, 3/24) – T20 World Cup 2016 Final
The 2016 T20 World Cup final remains iconic, thanks to Carlos Braithwaite. The tall Caribbean all-rounder hit four consecutive sixes in the last over, leading West Indies to victory. West Indies needed 19 runs in the final over, and it seemed the game was over. However, Braithwaite had different intentions, thumping Stokes for four big sixes.
While everyone remembers Braithwaite for his four sixes, he also took three crucial wickets. Marlon Samuels played a key role with an unbeaten 85-run innings.
Marlon Samuels (78/56, 1/15) – T20 World Cup 2012 Final
The 2012 West Indies T20 World Cup team was iconic. Despite being dominant, they faced a tough situation in the finals. At the end of the powerplay on a slow Colombo wicket, West Indies were 14 for 2. It looked like the end, but Marlon Samuels rose to the occasion. He smoked six big sixes, guiding West Indies to a fighting 137 runs. In his four overs, he picked up one wicket and conceded only 15 runs. His performance with both bat and ball remains unmatched in T20 World Cup finals.
These players have etched their names into cricket history with their unforgettable performances in T20 World Cup finals. Hopefully, in the final between India and South Africa, a player will emerge to add his name to this list.
