"Team work" triumphed, Saurav lent solidity to team: Dravid

Visakhapatnam, Feb 17 (UNI) Team India skipper Rahul Dravid today attributed the 2-1 ODI series win against Sri Lanka to ''team work'' and praised his predecessor Saurav Ganguly for his superb performance saying his experience at the top provided solidity to the team.

Talking to reporters after India's series-clinching seven wicket win in the fourth and the final ODI here this evening, he said it was great to win the series after losing the first match.

''It is a great series win especially to comeback from 0-1 and win two matches in a row. Winning the series has given lot of confidence to the team,'' he said.

Showering praise on Ganguly, who was named ''man of the series'', Dravid said the former skipper had done exceedingly well.

''He (Ganguly) played some solid innings right through the series and gained confidence ahead of the World Cup.

''We hope he will keep up the momentum. His experience and solidity at the top is good for the team. His experience (as he led the team in the last World Cup) will definitely be an advantage to us.'' Stating that the World Cup in the West Indies was just three weeks away, Dravid said ''We have got a good opening today. Sourav Ganguly's come back and the manner in which he played in the whole series was noteworthy. The series win today puts the teams in good position to do well in the Cup.

On Sehwag's return to form and Yuvraj's rollicking knock, Dravid said 'I am very happy about it. It will give them the confidence''.

''The way they played today was very heartening. It's good for them and good for the team . All these, coming ahead of the Cup, are good signs and give us lot of confidence'', the skipper said.

''Winning matches like this in the Cup and performing to our potential and maintaining consistency would produce better results'', he said.

About the opening slots, Dravid said, ''We have so much of depth and flexibility. Whatever 11 we play in a match, we have to win each game and that is the idea. Sachin was not there for today's match.

We played an eleven and they performed as per the strategy''.

Asked about injuries to Munaf and Pathan, Dravid said, '' We do not want to risk them. Sreeshanth got an opportunity and he did a good job.'' ''The World Cup is not starting tomorrow and so the injuries are not a cause for concern because they are minor in nature. We will hit the ground harder during the world cup and hope these players are one hundred per cent fit by then.'' Dravid said he was keen that the team maintains this momentum going into the World Cup. ''I have faith in my batting and that of the team and If we keep the momentum going, we should find success in the Cup''.

UNI