A

The opener believes the slam-bang format suits his aggressive style of batting and is hoping to make up for his recent failures with a solid showing in the event.

"I'm waiting for it as it would allow me to just walk in and start playing my shots without bothering too much about anything. It's a new format and my kind of batsmen, who loath to leave or defend a ball, would definitely love it," he said at the launch of the ICC [Images] Twenty20 trophy in New Delhi on Wednesday along with ICC Chief Executive Officer Malcolm Speed [Images].

"Personally, this Twenty20 World Cup is important for me to get back to the Indian side. I've been working hard on my batting skills and I hope to do well in South Africa," he said.

He also hailed Mahendra Singh Dhoni's [Images] appointment as captain for the event.

"It's wonderful to have Dhoni as the captain," says Sehwag, once India's vice-captain. "Everyone knows he is a match-winner and has a great knowledge of the game. He has done a brilliant job behind the stumps too. I hope he does well as captain and my wishes are with him."

He felt all-rounders would play a key role in the tournament.

"Though it depends on how good you are on that particular day, the key would be to score 200-210 runs and defend it. For that, you need all-rounders, who can bowl and then bat down the order."

Sehwag dismissed the notion that Twenty20 has no place for ageing pros like the Team India troika of Sachin Tendulkar [Images], Rahul Dravid [Images] and Sourav Ganguly [Images], who have opted out of the event.

"If Sachin Tendulkar bats for 20 overs, he would get a century and that would definitely help the side. I don't think Twenty20 is necessarily a youngster's game," said the 28-year-old batsman, the only Indian to score a triple century in Test cricket.

The tournament, the first of its kind at the international Twenty20 level, will see 27 matches take place at three venues -- Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg -- between September 11 and 24.

Sehwage unveiled the 12 kg silver-rhodium trophy, which has been designed by Minale Bryce Design Strategy of Queensland, Australia, and manufactured by Amit Pabuwal in India.

Photograph: Manpreet Romana/AFP/Getty Images