We can be a good fielding side: Rahul

MUMBAI, Feb 12: The Indian selectors chose to play it safe on Monday by naming the same 15 that played the first two matches of the four-match series against Sri Lanka.
So the prodigal Virender Sehwag gets yet another chance to come good, the tried and tested elder statesmen Sourav Ganguly and Anil Kumble, thought no good for One-dayers, just a couple of months ago, book themselves a World Cup ticket, while the unfortunate Ramesh Powar misses out despite consistent performances.
While their tense faces told a different story, both skipper Rahul Dravid and the chairman of the national selection committee, Dilip Vengsarkar, struck the same wavelength, while addressing the media.
Excerpts from their press conference.
Rahul Dravid, on fielding being the weak link with the return of the senior players: We will need to be smart about where we field certain players, we will have to practice those areas.
Once we have got this group of people together, we have been working really hard on our fielding in all the practice sessions. We can still be a very good fielding side. What we lack a little bit in the fielding we will have to make up with individual performances with the bat and ball.
On India's chances: The key is to play well in the Super 8 stage and try to get into the semi-finals. Once you get into the semi-finals it's going to be a different tournament altogether and we can have a distinct shot at the World Cup. A lot of guys in this group do realise that that will be the last shot at the World Cup and I am hoping that those guys in particular stand up and be counted during these two months. On the pitches: Everyone is saying the wickets will be slow, but who knows the wicket might not be slow, especially in places like Barbados, Antigua where wickets are newly laid.
Dilip Vengsarkar
On the two young seamers Munaf and Sreesanth: Munaf did very well in the last two matches. In the last match Sreesanth also bowled extremely well. I am happy with his bowling. He got wickets and bowled a good line and length. On the team: We picked the best combination that was in our mind. We have kept in mind how well they have done in the past too as the World Cup is a crucial tournament.
courtesy:timesofindia