Former cricketer Virender Sehwag has stated that the Team India squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup is better than the one he was part of in the inaugural edition in 2007. The Men in Blue had won the title under the captaincy of MS Dhoni in South Africa, kick-starting the T20 revolution in the cricketing world.
Team India had approached the inaugural edition of the World Cup in a new direction, with senior players like Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, and Sourav Ganguly not being a part of it. The inexperienced unit, alongwith some well-known names like Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, and Harbhajan Singh, scripted history by beating all odds and winning the silverware.
The nation have come a long way since then, and are on the lookout to become the first nation to win three titles after their recent success in the 2024 edition. Suryakumar Yadav and co, head into the upcoming tournament, on home soil, as firm favorites, on the back of the exceptional cricket they have been playing in recent times.
Virender Sehwag feels that the 2026 team ticks all the boxes, and is superior to the team that India sent out for the inaugural edition, almost two decades ago.
“This is one of the best teams we have put out for the T20 World Cup. This team is better than the one we had in the 2007 T20 World Cup. We have brilliant all-rounders, spinners, and fast bowlers. It is not like we cannot win this World Cup, but it should be our day when it matters in the knockouts,” Virender Sehwag said on Cricbuzz.
He further stated that the current outfit has the potential of replicating the iconic team from 2011, who had won the ODI World Cup on home soil amid extreme pressure and expectations.
“Our T20 World Cup squad is brilliant, we are doing very well in Suryakumar Yadav’s reign as captain, and we just beat New Zealand 4-1. There are a lot of young and experienced players, there is a perfect blend of youth and experience here. This World Cup is happening on home soil, and just like we had won in 2011, we will win once again at home,” he added.
Since the 2011 ODI World Cup, India have played two ICC events on home soil in the form of the 2016 T20 World Cup and the 2023 ODI World Cup. The Men in Blue lost in the knockout stages of both competitions, despite entering the tournament as one of the favorites.
“Don’t read the newspaper, don’t watch TV” – Virender Sehwag’s advice for Team India ahead of 2026 T20 World Cup
The former World Cup winner advised the Indian team not to pay attention to the demands, expectations, and criticism by fans and media over the course of the tournament, and even recommended disabling social media, if possible.
“My message for the Indian team would be to not pay heed to the outside noise on social media. Just play your cricket, don’t read the newspaper, don’t watch TV, and if possible, don’t use social media as well during the World Cup. If you do that, then you will be in your space, and can perform better,” Sehwag said.
Team India will feature in one warm-up game against South Africa on February 4, before beginning their group stage leg with a clash against the United States of America (USA) in Mumbai on Saturday, February 7.
Edited by Gokul Nair
