Can't repeat errors if we want to win WC: Yuvraj

Kolkata, Feb 23 (UNI) Dashing left-hander Yuvraj Singh today said team India cannot afford to repeat the mistakes it made during the last trip to the Caribbean if it wants to bring home the World Cup.

Talking to the media during a visit to the city, he said, ''Last time we went to the West Indies we lost the ODI series 1-4. We made a lot of mistakes and could not adapt to the conditions. We can't make those if we want to win the Cup.'' ''Hopefully we have learnt from the mistakes. This time the field will be tougher,'' he said.

He also said that India would have to improve its fielding, ''We are improving our fielding. That is one area we have to improve upon. And, we are working hard in that area.'' Asked if the absence of tob fielders like Suresh Raina and Mohammed Kaif would be felt in the Caribbeans, Yuvraj said ''it is unfortunate that we do not have them. But at the same time, we have outstanding and wonderful fielders like Robin Uthappa and Dinesh Kaarthick.'' Yuvraj returned to the Indian team in the last two matches of the home series against Sri Lanka after recovering from a knee injury that had left him out of the game since the Champions Trophy in October. He scored 21 at Margao and followed it up with an unbeaten 95 in Visakhapatnam.

''I played well in the last match. I've got confidence. I'm happy at the way I made progress after the severe (knee) injury,'' he said.

He alos oozed confidence about Virender Sehwag striking form during the Cup.

'' I am sure that he Irfan Pathan will also deliver the goods during the cup. We are all backing him and sure he will fire.'' Negating the lack of an allrounder he said, ''We have players who can bowl. And they do a good job.'' Yuvraj said he would also like to bowl if given a chance in the West Indies.

''If I get a chance, I'll definitely bowl.'' He felt Sourav Ganguly's comeback was good for the Indian team and hoped the former skipper would ''play a crucial role by providing a good start''.

Asked to make a comparison between the present Indian team and the one that played in the World Cup in South Africa four years ago, Yuvraj said ''we had a great team four years ago. Now also we have a good team.'' ''There has not been many changes from the side which played in 2003,'' he said adding, ''We need to win the finals if we reach there this time.'' Yuvraj said it would not be right to underestimate title holders Australia, who are going through a form slump. ''You can't underestimate them. They did not have their whole team against New Zealand,'' he said.

Asked to rate the chances of the teams to win, he said, ''Australia will definitely be a semi-finalist. South Africa is now the number one one-day side. Pakistan is also a deserving team. In fact, each of the top five teams can turn the game on their day.'' He said the absence of tearaway pacer Brett Lee would be felt in the World Cup. ''I will miss him personally. His absence is a sad thing from the cricketing point of view. But of course, it will make things easier for the opening batsmen of other countries when they take on the Australians.'' UNI