World Cup 2011: Superstitious Viru won’t say India favourites

He has smashed bowling attacks to shambles. In the run-up to the World Cup, however, Virender Sehwag adopts a more defensive stance and drops short of calling India favourites.

His surprising stance is more to do with superstition rather than the team’s strength. Sehwag feels India has


a balanced side with solid batting as well as bowling but would rather not jinx its chances. Talking to Hindustan Times, the Najafgarh bomber said he would not term India favourites despite the team’s formidable line-up.

"It is superstitious, perhaps, but the team billed as the strongest inevitably fails to do well,” he said recalling instances from past World Cups in 2003 and 1996 when South Africa and India were picked to win but failed to.

The man who is slated to open the innings with Sachin during the tournament feels it is imperative for the bowling and batting to click for the team to claim the Cup.

Sehwag, however, doesn't fail to remind fans that cricket, after all, is just sport. “Winning and losing is part of a sport. It should be taken in the same spirit. Burning a players’ effigy, like in the 2003 World Cup, does not help his performance. Encouraging them when they are down lifts the team.”