Venkatapathi Raju recalls 2007 T-20 World Cup triumph as India eyes 2026 glory

Former India spinner SL Venkatapathi Raju, part of the 2007 selection panel, recalls the team’s historic T-20 World Cup win under MS Dhoni. He sees similarities in the current squad led by Surya Kumar Yadav as India begins its 2026 campaign

Hyderabad: India left-arm spinner SL Venkatapathi Raju from the city was one of the selection committee members who picked the Indian team that won the inaugural 2007 T-20 World Cup in South Africa under MS Dhoni’s leadership.

For the record, the other members of the panel were Dilip Vengsarkar (chairman), Sanjay Jagdale, Ranjib Biswal and Bhupinder Sr.

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Significantly, the current selection panel also has another left-arm spinner from the city, Pragyan Ojha, as a member with Ajit Agarkar as the chairman.

So, can cricket fans get an encore of a Hyderabadi’s magic wand when Surya Kumar Yadav leads the Indian team in the 2026 T-20 World Cup, which begins tomorrow with India taking on USA in Mumbai?

“This Indian team has many similarities to the one that won the 2007 edition. Explosive stroke-makers, quality all-rounders and the huge advantage of playing at home. The only concern can be the dew factor, which can be dangerous,” Raju said in a chat with Telangana Today.

Reflecting on the selection process of the Indian team for the 2007 edition, Raju said that championship followed a dismal show in the 50 overs ODI World Cup in West Indies where they thought they had picked the best possible team.

“So, in the wave of huge disappointment, there were not high expectations from the Indian team in the 2007 World Cup. The senior members of the ODI World Cup were consulted and a new team was picked for the T-20 edition,” he said.

“Yes, there were Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh in the team but Dhoni was preferred to lead because he had already made a huge impact and also for his wonderful temperament even under pressure,” the 56-year-old former India spinner said.

“The interesting part of that whole process was that India played only one T-20 international before that World Cup. But the way we went on to win the Cup was just stunning,” he said. “So, many thought India was not ready for the T-20 format at the highest level,” he added.

“In a way, that great win changed the face of Indian cricket and the IPL that followed was also a huge hit because of that success, as many of the members from that team went on to play for more than a decade,” Raju said.

“The primary reason for winning that 2007 Cup was the presence of bits and pieces all-rounders who raised the bar every time the team looked up to them. There was so much talent like Rohit Sharma signalling his arrival on the international circuit,” he recalled.

“We did a lot of talent scouting and watched a lot of T-20 domestic cricket. That’s where we spotted someone like Yusuf Pathan,” Raju said.

Raju was there as an observer (representing the national selection panel) for the 2007 World Cup. He recalled the hunger and intensity in the efforts of every Indian player. “They just gave their hearts out. A great team effort,” he said.

“Yes, I definitely feel the current Indian team has the potential to retain the T-20 World Cup for sure,” Raju signed off.