Just two more days to go for the 2026 T20 World Cup final between India and New Zealand. It has been an exhilarating tournament so far with some intense clashes. India and England were among them, with England coming incredibly close to India’s total of 253, thanks to Jacob Bethell’s 105. The T20 World Cup finals have also seen plenty of incredible knocks over the years, and we look back at the highest scores in those. Here we go.
1: Marlon Samuels - 85* against England (2016)
Marlon Samuels was a consistent batter for the West Indies, especially when the West Indies reached the finals of the T20 World Cups. He did it in the 2012 final against Sri Lanka, but in the 2016 final against England, he registered the highest score in a T20 WC final. England had scored 155 in their 20 overs in Kolkata. In reply, the West Indies were restricted to 11 for 3. Samuels took his time and held one end up. He calmly scored an unbeaten 85 and took them close before Carlos Brathwaite hit four sixes in four deliveries off Ben Stokes in the final over to take West Indies to the title.
2: Kane Williamson - 85 against Australia (2021)
Australia and New Zealand played an interesting game in the 2021 T20 World Cup final. It was Australia that won the title for the first time, but it was Kane Williamson who gave them a fright in the first innings. Batting first, Kane Williamson played one of the finest knocks in a final. He scored 85 runs in just 48 balls, which included 10 fours and 3 sixes. His innings helped the Kiwis reach 172 in their 20 overs, but it was not enough as Australia chased it down with ease.
3: Marlon Samuels - 78 against Sri Lanka (2012)
Before Kolkata 2016, Marlon Samuels had shown what a clutch player he is in the 2012 T20 World Cup final. Playing against Sri Lanka at their home ground was not going to be easy, and the West Indies had a tough start with the bat. Samuels, though, had other plans. He came out, grinded it at the start, and then opened up with some lovely shots. He eventually finished with 78 off just 56 balls, which included three fours and six sixes, helping West Indies reach 137. The score proved to be enough as Sri Lanka were bundled out for just 101, giving the Caribbeans their first T20 World Cup title.
4: Mitchell Marsh - 77* against New Zealand (2021)
Mitchell Marsh saved his best for the last in the 2021 T20 World Cup. Australia were up against New Zealand in the final of the 2021 edition, and they needed to score 172 to win their first title. Kane Williamson had been the star for the Kiwis, having scored 85. In reply, Australia lost Aaron Finch early, but Mitchell Marsh and David Warner resurrected the innings with a 92-run stand. Warner fell for 53, but Marsh continued and remained unbeaten on 77. He hit six fours and four sixes. His innings helped the Aussies win the title for the first time.
