Team India’s reign as the No. 1-ranked side in the ICC Men’s T20I team rankings has come to a close after an extraordinary stretch of 1601 days. England have taken over the top spot with a commanding 4-0 series win in the recently concluded five-match contest, after the opening game was washed out by rain.
India’s struggles began immediately after their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 triumph. Their first assignment was a two-match series in Ireland, where they were humbled 2-0. That setback was followed by a disastrous tour of England. In the second T20I, India failed to defend 190 and lost by four wickets. The third match was even more punishing, as England handed them their biggest defeat in T20I history, a 125-run hammering.
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The fourth game saw England chase down 159 in just 13.5 overs, winning by nine wickets. And in the finale, England piled up 257 for three, leaving India with too steep a target. The visitors managed only 201 for eight, losing by 56 runs.
A historic reign in numbers
India’s reign at the top began on February 21, 2022 and ended on July 11, 2026.
It is the longest reign by any team in the history of ICC Men’s T20I rankings. During this period, India played 128 matches, winning 92, losing 30, tying once against New Zealand, and recording five no results.
Pakistan held the second-longest reign, staying No. 1 from January 28, 2018, until April 30, 2020. New Zealand had the third longest, spending 546 days at the summit between May 4, 2016 and October 31, 2017. Team India will now have to dust themselves off as they have to tour Zimbabwe for a three-match T20I series.
The series will begin on July 23, and the second and third matches will be played on July 25 and 26. All the matches will be held at the Harare Sports Club.
