An Indian quartet that is coping with different situations but fused together with the common goal of winning the ICC World Cup, squared up to the media in two parts here on Friday afternoon.
Virender Sehwag the ‘Test batsman' has often over-shadowed the rapid-fire version in ODIs. Yuvraj Singh has been searching for an incandescent innings. Virat Kohli has offered assurance in the middle-order but still has miles to go while Suresh Raina has found runs to be elusive.
Optimism was a common calling card among all four though the most telling comment was made by Yuvraj when he said: “The 1983 team was successful because they won the World Cup and if we are a good team then we will have to prove it by winning the cup.”
Yuvraj admitted that he had suffered the horrors and said: “I never said that I want to quit, I said that I used to get thoughts that ‘should I?'
“I was getting injured and it was tough to get back on the field. Those were tough days. Now I am feeling 100 per cent fit for the World Cup.”
Drawing inspiration
The southpaw also drew inspiration from meeting motivational speaker Mike Horn, who has joined the team. “It is amazing to learn about the power of the mind from him,” Yuvraj said.
Sehwag, in his true irreverent style, dismissed the Bangladesh-bogey. “We have lost one or two games against Bangladesh — one in the 2007 World Cup and may be one in Bangladesh. We have been waiting for that moment when we will play against them again in the World Cup and we are charged up,” Sehwag said.
The belligerent opener stressed that he was happy with his runs in ODIs. “Everybody is talking about the fact that my Test average is 54 and my one day average is 35 but if you look at other top batsmen, if their average in Tests is 50 then it's not necessary that their one-day average will also be 50.
“I can do better and as long as I contribute to the team, I am happy. The maximum I have batted is about 44 overs. So this time I will try to bat the full 50 overs whenever I get a good start,” Sehwag said and added that his shoulder injury has fully healed though he will take up bowling after a while.
Light-hearted moment
A light-hearted moment occurred when Indian skipper M.S. Dhoni stepped in for a while and sat with the journalists. When asked whether he was worried about Dhoni asking any questions, Sehwag quipped: “We are senior to Mahi and we are not worried.”
Meanwhile Raina who is competing for a middle-order slot, said: “It's a healthy competition between me, Virat and Yusuf. Whoever plays its important we win many matches.
“I have been scoring 25 and 35 but I am not converting them into big scores. I know I can do well in big games and I am comfortable with playing short-pitched balls.”
Unlike Raina, Kohli is in a more comfortable zone after having made runs at every possible opportunity. “I have learnt from my mistakes and I am happy with the way I controlled myself when I felt like playing a rash shot.
“I have played rash shots before — one against Pakistan in the Champions Trophy and another against Australia at Baroda. In South Africa, I learnt about how to be mentally tough while facing the best bowlers in the world,” Kohli said.
