India's finals blues due to low confidence: Sehwag

Virender Sehwag admitted that "lack of confidence" could be one of the reasons for the team's string of defeats in the finals under Ganguly's captaincy.

Virender Sehwag admitted on Friday that "lack of confidence" could be one of the reasons for the Indian team's string of defeats in the finals of one-day tournaments but insisted that the problem was not big enough to warrant the help of a psychologist.

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"Yes, you can say there is some lack of confidence going into the final. But it a very minor issue and everything will change once one result goes our way," Sehwag told reporters on the sidelines of a promotional campaign for Coca Cola in New Delhi.

Sehwag, also the brand ambassador of the company, had a lunch date with 80 lucky winners of the "Match of the Man offer" campaign in the city.

Asked whether India should have a session with Australian psychologist Sandy Gordan everytime before a final of a tournament, the 25-year-old replied in negative.

"I don't think we need it. We have four or five senior players who know everything about the game and they discuss the issues with the players. Also there is coach John Wright to help us out.

"Most of the times we are unlucky that things don't go our way."

India have lost 11 out of 14 finals in one-day tournaments involving three or more teams under Sourav Ganguly's captaincy.

On India's chances in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy and the tri-series in Holland, Sehwag said the team was all geared up to give its 100 per cent and win the tournaments.
The Delhi batsman once again voiced his preference for a middle-order spot but said he would continue to play as an opener till the team wanted him there.

"I do not want to disturb the team combination. I personally like batting in the middle order but I can wait till it is in the interest of the team..."

On President APJ Abdul Kalam's invitation for tea on the occasion of Independence Day, Sehwag said it was a great honour.

"It is a great honour for me to receive an invitation from the President. I will surely be there and celebrate Independence Day."

Asked whether it was unjust on the part of the State Government to ask a player to apply for the Rajiv Gandhi award, the player said "that is the procedure and I have no problems with it."

Sehwag is one of the applicants for this year's state award.