We will be in semi-finals: Chappell

MONTEGO BAY (JAMAICA), March 4: The Indian team is prepared to meet the challenges of the ICC Cricket World Cup, said captain Rahul Dravid on Sunday, while coach Greg Chappell was confident that they will reach the semi-final stage. After a long flight and a round of practice, Dravid was relaxed at his first press briefing before the start of the World Cup 2007. "We are prepared for the challenges of the ICC Cricket World Cup," he said at the Ritz Carlton in Montego Bay shortly after an early morning practice session at the Trelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium. Dravid was flanked by team-mates Zaheer Khan, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Anil Kumble, Sachin Tendulkar, coach Chappell, and Sanjay Jagdale, manager of the team. Upbeat after the team's recent performance against Sri Lanka, he said: "Over the next two months we want to be able to take part in the sites and sounds of the Caribbean while playing some good cricket." Responding to questions, Chappell said: "I am convinced that the team will be in the semi-final. We have a good mix of youth and experience." Since their arrival in Jamaica, the Indians have been going through practice sessions. They play two warm-up matches against the Netherlands and the West Indies on March 6 and 9 respectively, before heading to Trinidad and Tobago for the group stage matches. India are in Group B with Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Bermuda. India would return to Sabina Park in Kingston for the semi-final, should they sail through the Super Eight. courtesy:timesofindia