Virender Sehwag is unfazed by India's poor record in NZ

New Delhi: Virender Sehwag was part of the team that had a harrowing time in New Zealand last time, especially in the Tests, as the 'drop in' pitches proved to be a sham and teams struggled to put up three-figure scores.

After losing both their Tests, India did slightly better in the One Day Internationals with Sehwag slamming two centuries in the 2-5 verdict in favour of the the home side.
Though India recovered well in the next few months and eventually made it to the final of the World Cup played in South Africa in 2003, that tour of New Zealand still rankles in most people's minds.

But Sehwag, true to his character, is least bothered about the past. Not only is he confident that India will do well this time round, but also feels that the outfit is capable of becoming the top team in the world.

"I think we are better prepared than last time. Of course, the conditions will have to be negotiated as and when the challenges arise, but we are really looking forward to the series and we are confident of winning," said the hard-hitting opener.

Sehwag knows that the team has done well over the last year, but warns that adaptability will be the key if India are to take up the challenge on the testing tour starting next week.

"Obviously it will be different from the last tour but then it is always a learning process. As a senior, I understand that I have certain responsibilities. The main thing is to guide youngsters and share my experience. That is what I have done all through my career, whether playing for my state, zone or country," said Sehwag, who had aggregated just 40 runs in the two Tests on the last tour of New Zealand but his superb centuries in the shorter version included a knock of 112 that helped win a close sixth match at Auckland.
But what is it that makes Sehwag bristle with such confidence? "We are a young side with a lot of ambitions and one of them is to be the number one team in every format. I feel we have the players in every department who can do that for us -- be it batting, pace bowling or spin," said the 30-year-old.

"The focus is on being consistent and we will have to set certain goals for ourselves. We have the potential to achieve our goals and have shown progress in the last year in almost all areas," said Sehwag whose aggressive batting has been a success in all forms of the game and in most conditions.

"I have enjoyed playing in every form of the game. Honestly, I just look forward to getting some runs, giving the team a decent start," added Sehwag.
New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori may be fearing the sight of Sehwag and Mahendra Dhoni in full flow on the smaller grounds there, but Sehwag feels it will all boil down to performing well as a team.

"Everything looks good only if the team wins. Individual honours mean nothing in a team sport, where the emphasis is always on doing well collectively," he said. "I am proud to say that we have been performing well as a team."

Would he not be happier with some practice matches in conditions farthest from our own?
"It is not always possible to have practice matches in the hectic modern day schedule. Personally, I would rather practise to get acclimatised because having more games only adds to the toll on your body. This is part of the package of modern day cricket," he said.

(DNA, February 18, 2009)