Dravid promises better show by Team India in World Cup

Port of Spain, Mar 14 (UNI) Skipper Rahul Dravid today exuded confidence of India's good showing in an otherwise ''open World up''.

''We are a well balanced side and confident of living up to the expectations,'' Dravid said.

The 34-year-old batsman, who will be playing in his third World Cup in the Caribbean, however, reiterated that this Cup was going to be very open.

''The West Indies win in the first match of the tournament proves that rankings do not count on the field because Pakistan are higher then the Caribbeans in the ICC leaderboard. It means performance of the team counts.

''It is very difficult to predict what shape the tournament is going to take but I think things will start clearing midway through the Super Eight league. All eight teams who have been seeded are capable of winning the Cup and it will need a good and consistent performance from a team to stay put in the race for the title,'' said Dravid, who is one of the six in the 10,000 club in one-day internationals.

Dravid again came out strongly in support of beleagured Virender Sehwag, saying the Delhi opener was in good nick and preparing hard for the mega event.

''I don't think he (Sehwag) is under any pressure. However playing in an event like the World Cup has its own dynamics and pressures which effect every participating team and player,'' the Banglorean said.

''I don't think that every member of a 15-man squad will be in form at the same time but it is my hope that he comes around as the tournament progresses,'' he said of Sehwag.

''I hope that all my players will go out and fire on all cylinders and get us victory, because victory is what it is about in this tournament.'' Asked if he has decided the composition of the playing eleven to play against Bangladesh in their opening match on March 17, Dravid said, ''We have yet to decide about the combination for the opening match, we will decided about it after seeing the conditions and wicket on that day.'' ''We have depth in batting and our bowling has started picking up. I am hopeful that we will put up a good show in the fielding department also,'' Dravid said.

Dravid added he was expecting contribution from all the players.

''I am hopeful that the lower order will also chip in with some useful contribution. I am expecting some good runs from the bowlers also. Harbhajan Singh has made some useful runs and so has Ajit Agarkar. Zaheer proved his usefulness with the bat in South Africa,'' he said.

The skipper expressed happiness that India are playing their league matches in Trinidad, saying ''we always enjoy playing here.

We enjoy the support we get here.'' Dravid urged the people here to support the Indian team. ''West Indies are not playing here, we are not playing against them in the preliminary (group) stage league and so it is my hope that people will come and support us.'' UNI