Sehwag promises better showing in World Cup

Montego Bay, Mar 9 (UNI) Putting up a brave front, under pressure opener Virender Sehwag today promised a better showing in the World Cup, saying ''I want to live up to the expectations of the captain, coach, team and millions of fans back home.'' ''I am happy with my performances,'' Sehwag told the Indian media after team's strenuous work-out at St.Ann Bauxite ground and added ''it (performance) is getting better and better.'' He admitted that support of the coach and captain has come as a huge morale booster as it indicates that they have faith in his capabilities.

''Their (Coach and Captain) support has not put any more pressure on me but it has given me more confidence. I knew I have the talent, it is just a matter of one innings,''he said.

Describing the mood in the Indian camp as ''fantastic'', Sehwag said the build up to the World Cup has been 'perfect'.

Asked if he was confident of making it to the World Cup after being dropped from the team, Sehwag replied ''yes I was confident of getting back into the squad, because of my self belief. Every International player in any sports goes through a bad patch but that does not mean that he no longer is a good player.'' ''I, like other players want to play a role in the India's victory in the World Cup. We want to win and it will not matter who scores how much and who takes how many wickets as long as we win.'' Asked about his strategy for the World Cup, Sehwag said, ''Well I want to stay at the crease for much longer time to help my team, I want to play the first five-six overs before opening out.

My longer stay at the crease does not mean that I will not go for quick runs, because in One day matches it is the runs which matter.'' ''You just can't miss chances to score but also one has to see that wickets are not lost cheaply or quickly. Idea is to see through the 50 overs, build up good score while keeping wickets,'' he said.

To a query whether he was upset over being stripped of vice captainship, Sehwag said, ''no not at all, I never expected to be the vice-captain in the first place and when I was not retained as the deputy, it made no difference. I want to perform to the best of my ability and that is all.'' He disclosed that he took to meditation on being dropped from the team after the South Africa tour. ''Well I enjoyed that break.

I spent lot of time with my family and meditated a lot. It helped me because it cleared my mind as there were too many things going on in my mind.'' ''Meditation helped me to get focused and now I am more confident,'' he said and added ''Well to be in the team one has to perform, if you play well you will be there in the team, otherwise you have to go out. It was good for me that I was out for some time.'' Sehwag said he was willing to bat at any slot.

''What ever I am assigned I will do because the aim is one and simple ---to win the World Cup. I am willing to shoulder any responsibility given to me, because it is going to be a team effort.'' He was candid enough to admit that in big events like the World Cup, players are always under pressure but ''it is up to them to tackle it. It is important to be focused and have a self belief.'' UNI