India will reach World Cup semi-finals, says Sehwag

New Delhi, Feb 2: Out-of-favour India batsman Virender Sehwag today exuded confidence about India making it to the semifinals of the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup, saying that recent results would have little impact on the team's performance during the quadrennial extravaganza.

World Cup Special

"I am sure India will make it to the semi-finals and after that it would depend on how they play on a particular day," said Sehwag.

Asked which other teams according to him could make the last-four stage apart from India, Sehwag was prompt in his reply. "Besides India, I think Australia, South Africa and New Zealand would make the semis," he said.

One of the most destructive opening batsmen refused to believe that India's lackluster show in their recent tour Down Under would have any influence on the upcoming 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 during the launch of a special show by 92.7 BIG FM 'Cricket ka Big Headquarter'.

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 they of them must be working hard to and preparing well for the World Cup and some of them would come out with flying colours."

PTI