Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag believes the current Indian team is better than the one they had in 2007 ahead of the World Cup. India, under MS Dhoni, won the inaugural T20I showpiece in 2007.

That team had quality players like Yusuf Pathan, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni, Harbhajan Singh, and Irfan Pathan. 

On the other hand, the current Indian team is ranked number one in the ICC T20I rankings. They have suffered only four losses in the shortest format since the start of 2025. Suryakumar Yadav’s team is playing with an aggressive approach and will enter the tournament as red-hot favorites.

“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.

Sehwag said the amalgamation of experience and youth puts India in good stead for the World Cup.

“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.

The former swashbuckling opener advised India not to read the newspaper or watch TV during the marquee event.

“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.

India will begin their T20 World Cup campaign against the USA on February 7.