Top 3 teams with longest reigns as world no. 1 in ICC Men's T20I rankings
Shreyas Iyer and Harry Brook pose with the T20I series trophy (Source: BCCI)
Published - 11 Jul 2026, 11:07 PM• Read time - 4 mins
Getting to the summit of the ICC Men’s T20I Team Rankings is a dream every cricketing nation harbours. Yet, not every team manages to fulfil that ambition. With the rise of franchise cricket, the format has become fiercely competitive, making the climb to No. 1 more arduous than ever.
But if reaching the top is tough, consolidating that position is even tougher. India have been the most dominant and consistent force in T20I cricket, holding the crown for a sustained period. Their reign finally came to an end on July 11, 2026, after England blanked them 4-0 in a five-match series.
As India’s era at the top closes, it is worth revisiting the three longest reigns as world No. 1 in the ICC Men’s T20I team rankings.
#1 India: 1601 days of supremacy
India became the No. 1 ranked T20I side on February 21, 2022, and remained at the summit for 1601 days until England toppled them in Southampton on July 11, 2026. This was the longest reign in the history of the rankings.
During this golden phase, India won two ICC Men’s T20 World Cups in 2024 in the USA and the Caribbean and in 2026 on home soil. They played 128 T20Is, winning 92 and losing 30, with one tie against New Zealand and five no results. Though they have now slipped to No. 2, their reign will be remembered as one of the most dominant eras in T20I history.
#2 Pakistan: 824 days at the summit
India’s arch-rivals Pakistan, enjoyed the second-longest reign. They held the No. 1 spot for 824 days, from January 28, 2018, to April 30, 2020. During this period, Pakistan won 19 matches, lost nine, and had one no result. Their consistency across formats and series ensured they stayed ahead of the chasing pack for over two years.
#3 New Zealand: 546 days on top of the world
New Zealand take the third spot on this list. The Black Caps were ranked No. 1 for 546 days, from May 4, 2016, to October 31, 2017. Interestingly, they played only four matches during this reign, winning three and losing one. Despite the limited fixtures, their performances were enough to keep them at the top uninterrupted for nearly a year and a half.
Longest Reigns at No. 1 in ICC Men’s T20I Team Rankings
| Team | Duration (Days) | Period | Matches | Wins | Losses | Ties | No Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | 1601 | Feb 21, 2022 to Jul 11, 2026 | 128 | 92 | 30 | 1 | 5 |
| Pakistan | 824 | Jan 28, 2018 to Apr 30, 2020 | 29 | 19 | 9 | 0 | 1 |
| New Zealand | 546 | May 4, 2016 to Oct 31, 2017 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |