Virender Sehwag predicts semifinalists of the World T20

India’s former dashing opener Virender Sehwag has chosen India, New Zealand, South Africa and West Indies as a possible semifinalist of the upcoming World T20 starting in India on March 8. Sehwag has already reckoned that hosts India will be the favourites to win the coveted title for the second time.

“Apart from India I would pick New Zealand in their group. The teams to watch out from other group will be South Africa and West Indies. India remains favourites to repeat the feat of 2007. They are playing good cricket at the moment and the combinations are working well,” Sehwag said on the sidelines of the Royal Stag Perfect Strokes event.

India is yet to lose to Pakistan in a World event and have an advantage over the arch-rivals. The two teams meet again in the mouthwatering World T20 clash in Dharamsala on March 19.

Sehwag was questioned about the reason behind India strong dominance over Pakistan at big events.

“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.”

When asked whether playing with more aggression has helped India perform better in the recent past, Sehwag said that matches cannot be won because of aggression and the team has play well to have positive results regularly.

“You can’t win games only with aggression. You win games by playing well. I have never seen only aggression working for a team.”

Sehwag reasoned why T20 is the most popular of all three formats but asserted that Tests and ODIs wtill have a serious audiences.

“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 added.

Sehwag also clarified his recent dig at Shoaib Akhtar. Sehwag, who is known for his sense of humour, had poked fun of Akhtar saying the former Pakistan speedster praises India only for monetary reasons.

“Arrey yaar who to mazaak mein kaha tha, hala kee woh sach tha (I said it jokingly though it is what I feel).”

Sehwag also talked about Brendon McCullum, who recently retired on a high by scoring the fastest Test century and the retirement timing of Indian players.

“Asked about the retirement timing of Indian cricketers, he said: “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.”