Virender Sehwag believes India’s 2026 T20 World Cup squad is stronger than the 2007 title-winning team, citing better balance and depth across departments.
Former India opener Virender Sehwag has rated the current Indian squad highly ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. He believes this team holds greater balance and depth than the side that won the first edition in 2007.
Notably, Sehwag had played a key role in the MS Dhoni-led campaign in South Africa. That tournament saw senior players Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, and Sourav Ganguly skip selection. A young group, supported by experienced names like Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, and Harbhajan Singh, won the title. He now feels the 2026 squad offers stronger options across batting, bowling, and all-round roles.
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“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.
Virender Sehwag Advises Players to Block Distractions
Meanwhile, India is enjoying a strong run under Suryakumar Yadav in recent months. The team sealed a strong 4-1 T20I series win over New Zealand. India, however, carries mixed memories from recent home ICC events. The team hosted the 2016 T20 World Cup and the 2023 ODI World Cup. They entered both tournaments as favourites but failed in the knockout stages.
Sehwag advised the squad to remain focused during the competition. He urged players to ignore outside noise and avoid distractions from media and social platforms.
“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 won in 2011, we will win once again at home,” he said.
“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 concluded.
India will begin their group-stage campaign against the United States of America on February 7 in Mumbai. The team is chasing a third T20 World Cup title.
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