The number one spot well within its sight, India's cricket coach Gary Kirsten on Wednesday said the team would draw inspiration from its past success in Sri Lanka as it copes with the "huge" loss of not having explosive opener Virender Sehwag for the tri-series in the island nation.
The Indian team left for Sri Lanka for the tri-series that also features New Zealand and Kirsten said not having Sehwag, who is ruled out due to a shoulder injury, in the side is quite a blow.
The Indians will play their first match tomorrow against the hosts.
Asked who would be opening the innings with Gautam Gambhir, Kirsten said, "We are not sure about the combination. We would decide it on the day of the game. But obviously, missing Sehwag is huge. He is a high quality player and any team would love to have him in the mix. But we have got a lot of depth in the team."
However, Kirsten was quite excited about Rahul Dravid's return to the team after being out for close to two years.
"It's great to have him. With the sort of experience he brings, it's going to help the team. It's great," he said.
A clean-sweep in the short series would catapult India to the top of the ICC ODI rankings and Kirsten said being the best in the world is high on the team's list of targets for the next eight months.
"We have set our goals. One of them is to be the best cricket team in the world. We are headed that way and we are very excited. We know we have to perform well as we continue the quest to be the best," Kirsten said.
The team enjoyed a welcome break after a gruelling first half of the year and Kirsten said having the Corporate Trophy just a few days ahead of the tri-series will ensure that the players don't turn up rusty in Sri Lanka.
"I think it was great to have a six-week break followed by the Corporate Trophy. It gave the players games before a big series. We might have been a bit rusty but the Corporate Trophy has helped," he said.
Asked about the team's chances in the tri-series, Kirsten said, "We won the last two series in Sri Lanka and we are confident. But we think ahead and don't harp on the results of the past."
"We have got a good batting line-up which is quite flexible in the middle. We would like to mix it up during the series," he said.
"We have got a very good run in one-day cricket. We have got good depth in the side and the younger players have proved themselves," he added.
New Zealand is being seen as the weakest side in the tournament but Kirsten said the Kiwis are competitive with comeback-man Shane Bond being a huge factor.
"It is a very good cricket team. They have done well in one-day cricket. They have some powerful hitters in the bottom line and fairly stable. That is what you want in international cricket and New Zealand is a competitive team.
"Shane Bond is a great asset to the New Zealand team. He has not played cricket for a while but he is a great asset. Anyone, who bowls at that pace, can be a factor," Kitsten pointed out.
On whether the team is feeling the pressure of expectations due to the improving international results, Kirsten said the Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led outfit can cope with it.
"When you become one of the best teams in the world there is pressure involved and there is expectancy around that. If you are going to remain as the best and going to be there for a long time, you need to handle that expectancy well in that pressure. I think we are comfortable being in that position," he said.
Kirsten lauded the team's batting performance in the season so far and said the middle-order has become especially strong.
"One exciting thing about the Indian cricket team is that we have great batting line up. We have exceptionally talented players and some very experienced players as well. I guess, it is only to work out what is the best combination that could be given on any given day.
"But, we are flexible in the middle order. We would like to mix it up little bit there. Try few different combinations. I feel that is the best way to do it. We would like to remain flexible", Kirsten said.
Kirsten backs Tendulkar's proposal
Kirsten also gave a thumbs up to Sachin Tendulkar's idea of splitting the one-dayers into four innings of 25 overs each to revive the format, saying the senior batsman's proposal should be given a thought.
"It is a good idea. I know it has been suggested before somewhere down the line," Kirsten told reporters.
Tendulkar had suggested that ODIs be split into four innings of 25 overs a side to negate the luck factor associated with winning the toss and bring some excitement to the format which is fighting for survival in the face of the Twenty20 storm.
Kirsten said the the option can be explored.
"I think what he is doing is that he is just opening it up to see the different options that could be brought about in the one-day game. A player of his stature, one should listen to him," he said.
