The real battle lies ahead: Dravid

The Indian skipper cautions Team India against any slip-up in their must-win game against Sri Lanka on Friday.

After a record win against minnows Bermuda put its World Cup campaign back on track, Indian skipper Rahul Dravid cautioned his teammates against any slip-up in their must-win game against Sri Lanka on Friday.

HT Image

"There are some things which are not in our control, like the net run-rate. The other teams' matches and results are not in our control. What is in our control is to go and try to win the next game and win it as well as possible," Dravid said after India beat Bermuda by 257-runs.

Dravid asked his boys not to sit on their huge win against Bermuda but look ahead for the bigger challenge of overcoming Sri Lanka.

"The real challenge is ahead of us. We had two must-win matches, but have won just one. The guys know what they have to do now," said Dravid, with man of the match and centurion Virender Sehwag sitting in tow.

India now need to put it across Sri Lanka to have a realistic chance of qualifying for the Super Eight stage.

The Indian skipper saw it as a good sign that dashing opener Virender Sehwag returned to his swashbuckling ways ahead of vital clash against the Sri Lankans.

Sehwag, without a hundred in the last 61 games, smashed 114 off only 87 balls with 17 fours and three sixes and looked a relieved man.

"The effort he has put in is fantastic. It is nice for him to get runs. All credit to him. To be honest, we expect a lot from him. He has been picked to score more than one hundred for us," said Dravid.

Sehwag said a big innings from him was long overdue and he was just waiting for his chance.

"I had the confidence. I knew the captain, coach and selectors were backing me up and I had to deliver," said the aggressive opener.

"I was waiting for just one innings. It was due for a long time. Thank God, it has come at the right time. So I am happy with my performance."