Sehwag says India will reach World Cup semifinals

One of the most destructive opening batsmen, Sehwag, refused to believe that India's lackluster show in their recent tour Down Under would have any influence on World Cup.

"I don't think the team will be much affected with their recent performances. Everyone will give their 100 per cent effort during the World Cup and recent results may not have any influence," Sehwag insisted.

India lost the four-Test series 0-2 against Australia and then could not win a single ODI in the tri-series, involving England.

Drawing comparisons with India's 2-5 defeat in the seven-match ODI series in New Zealand in the build-up to the 2003 World Cup in South Africa, Sehwag said the team ended up performing well during the marquee event.

"Just before the 2003 World Cup, India had a disastrous tour of New Zealand and everyone thought that we won't do well in South Africa. But we ended up making it to the finals," said Sehwag.

Sehwag said he did not have any solution to offer to the team members for their poor result Down Under but expressed confidence that the players would work on their gray areas themselves.

"Players will have to identify their problems. I am sure all of them must be working hard and preparing well for the World Cup and some of them would come out with flying colours."

On a lighter note Sehwag added: "As far as me giving a solution, I don't have one. I don't even have a solution for the media persons who come running behind me for an exclusive chat or a byte."

On whether the balance of the Indian side was better in the 2011 World Cup, considering that the tournament took place in the sub-continent, Sehwag said: "Obviously, the fact that the pitches are different in Australia and New Zealand, would make a difference. The part-time bowlers also may find it more difficult, especially with ODI rules being changed. With five fielders in the ring, it's very hard to play a part-timer. So that might be a disadvantage for our team.

"In this scenario, selecting the 11th player in the side becomes very important. What Yuvraj (Singh) did for us in the last World Cup as a fifth bowler was great. We hope that (Stuart) Binny or (Ravindra) Jadeja do it for us this time around," the 36-year said.

Sehwag said if India can win their first match against arch-rivals Pakistan, it would take the pressure off them.

"If you can win your first match, you don't feel any pressure. Once you beat a big team in the first one or two games, you know you can handle the other sides during the league stage. If India can beat Pakistan in their tournament opener, it would a big confidence booster for them."

Stating that he always prepared hard before a match against Pakistan, Sehwag revealed: "I used to prepare myself as if the match against Pakistan was the most important game. Would consider it our final before the actual final."

Asked if Mahendra Singh Dhoni being the ODI skipper and Virat Kohli, the new Test captain, has changed the equation between them, Sehwag said: "I don't think so."

Sehwag feels all the youngsters chosen in the World Cup squad are "very good" and it is difficult to "pin-point a single one" who would become the standout performer.

The right-handed batsman, meanwhile, said he was keen on continuing playing cricket.

"I am still playing. I would continue to play, and not think about anything else at least for a couple of years."