Former India cricketer Virender Sehwag believes that the Suryakumar Yadav-led side for the T20 World Cup 2026 is a better team than the MS Dhoni-led 2007 T20 World Cup-winning side, calling them big favourites to defend the title. Defending champions India will start their T20 World Cup campaign against the United States.
Virender Sehwag for India's T20 World Cup 2026 squad
Sehwag, who was part of India's 2011 World Cup-winning squad, believes that the current T20I team has the right combination and balance, as well as some X-factor players in both batting and bowling departments.
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“The Indian team is very good. And they are performing very well under the captaincy of Suryakumar Yadav,” Sehwag told Cricbuzz. “There’s a lot of experience and some young players too. And they rightly say that there is no better combination of experience and youth.”
“According to me, this team is better than the one that we won the 2007 T20 World Cup with. They have good all-rounders and spinners. Best fast bowlers in the world and the top order is in form,” he added. “I have every hope, good reason to believe, that we will repeat what happened in 2011 and win it at home.”
Sehwag lauds Abhishek, Varun, Rinku and Dube
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Sehwag pointed out a few players who, in his view, could make a big difference for India. He spoke highly of Varun Chakravarthy, saying his mystery spin can trouble any batting line-up. He also felt that Shivam Dube and Rinku Singh don’t always get the credit they deserve, especially for the way they finish games in the lower order.
However, Sehwag believes Abhishek Sharma could be India’s biggest advantage. He said Abhishek’s ability to attack from the very first ball and his current form set him apart. In fact, Sehwag went a step further and said the young left-hander reminds him of his own approach at the top of the order.
“I think the way Abhishek Sharma gives them starts, the way I used to, is a big advantage for India,” he said. “When he’s in form and batting at his 200+ strike rate, it’s hard to take the game away from them.”