Former Indian opening batsman Virender Sehwag has named the four teams that he thinks will make the semi-finals at the upcoming ICC World T20 which begins on Tuesday. Just last week, Sehwag had picked hosts India to win the tournament.
The 37-year-old feels that New Zealand, South Africa and West Indies will be the teams that will provide the biggest threat to the Indian cricket team.
Speaking to PTI at a promotional event, Sehwag said: "Apart from India I would pick New Zealand in their group. The teams to watch out from the other group will be South Africa and West Indies. India remain favourites to repeat the feat of 2007. They are playing good cricket at the moment and the combinations are working well."
The Nawab of Najafgarh was also asked his views on India getting the better of Pakistan on a regular basis in recent times. The Men in Blue have gotten the better of their arch-rivals in recent ICC events – ICC Champions Trophy 2013, ICC World T20 2014 and ICC World Cup 2015.
Pakistan have never defeated India in an ICC World T20 match and the two will lock horns on March 19 at Dharamsala.
"It is difficult to pinpoint a reason but to put it simply, India is playing much better cricket than Pakistan and we have better talent than Pakistan," the recently retired cricketer said.
Sehwag noted that a team simply can’t win due to an aggressive approach and that playing well in the most important factor.
"You can't win games only with aggression. You win games by playing well. I have never seen only aggression working for a team," he added.
The former Delhi cricketer clarified his recent comments on former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar. He had said that Akhtar praises India only to make money.
"Arrey yaar who to mazaak mein kaha tha, hala kee wo sach tha (I said it jokingly though it is what I feel)," he added.
Sehwag also spoke about the recent retirement of Brendon McCullum and said that Indian cricketers often choose to retire after the end of a series.
"Our players choose to retire after the series. It is just the way it is. Tendulkar (Sachin) is one who retired in the same manner as McCullum. It is the player's decision to retire and we should respect that. It doesn't matter how one is playing at that time. If he thinks he is done then it (decision) should be respected," he added.
Sehwag noted that T20 is currently the most popular format of cricket, but feels there is a good enough following for Tests and ODIs – especially in India.
"All three formats make their own space. T20 is short and that is why more people like to watch the format. People who prefer hard cricket, they still prefer Test and ODIs. Crowds in India are full even for ODIs and for Test cricket as well there is a serious following," he said.
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