India's preparations for next year's World Cup have already begun and every aspect of the game is being discussed in detail, vice-captain Virender Sehwag said in Bangalore on Thursday.
"We are discussing planning, how to play in different match situations, when we should take risks and when we should not take risk and also the role of each player," Sehwag said.
The Delhi batsman also said the team had been training keeping in mind the World Cup in March-April 2007 and not just the tournaments on hand.
"We are not just preparing for the tri-series (in Malaysia next month also involving Australia and the West Indies). We are preparing for the next eight months. We are training and practising keeping in mind the World Cup," said Sehwag, in Bangalore for the rolling camp.
"I feel, it's important to improve in all areas (batting, bowling and fielding)," he said. "If we do well in all departments of game, we would be in a better position to win; if we concentrate on only one aspect and ignore the others, we may probably lose.
Noting that India does not have a good fifth bowler, the opener said Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh and he are working on sharing that responsibility.
On the ongoing camp, Sehwag said skipper Rahul Dravid and coach Greg Chappell had discussions with each of the players -- himself, Ajit Agarkar, Irfan Pathan, Mohammed Kaif and
Yuvraj Singh, and asked them about their goals, what they thought about the team and how its performance could be improved in both versions of the game.
"It's important to take ideas from everybody. If everybody is involved, it helps," the vice-captain said.
"Many a times, only the captain, vice-captain and the coach hold discussions. Other players also have good ideas. When ideas come out, it helps the team."
While the previous camps focussed on conditioning and mental toughness, the current one is an "ideas camp", he said, adding, the ideas would be put together and tried out at two practice matches slated at Chennai on September 8 and 9 prior to the team's departure for Malaysia.
"We will see the results in the practice games. I am sure it will be helpful."
Sehwag said his goal was to deliver consistent performances for the team in both versions of the game.
"My goal is to just perform consistently. I have been playing international cricket for the past five-six years. I have to perform consistently in both Test matches and ODIs. If you perform consistently, you become a great player," he said, adding, he also had a chat with Chappell on how to improve his consistency.
On the use of perched up bowling machines at the camp, Sehwag indicated it was aimed at facing the likes of Glenn McGrath and Steve Harmison better.
"Harmison and McGrath are very tall, and balls come from a considerable height. So, the bowling machine was angled in such a way to simulate the experience. It helped a lot in batting."
Sehwag explained that when a bowler's height is around six feet, the batsmen has a fair idea on how to face them. But when a bowler's height was more than six feet, it is a different ball game and it was important to practice.
To a question, he said the opening combination depended on the match situation and condition, and he was ready to bat at any number.
"I am prepared to bat at any number. I will have to play cricket, not any other sport," he quipped.
