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India look to maintain winning streak: Ganguly
Centurion, Mar 12: India captain Sourav Ganguly today said the country would take its last super six league match against New Zealand on Friday ``in all seriousness`` even after being assured of a semi-final berth.
Centurion, Mar 12: India captain Sourav Ganguly today said the country would take its last super six league match against New Zealand on Friday ''in all seriousness'' even after being assured of a semi-final berth.
''We are very determined and would field our best possible team.
''The game is crucial for us as its result will decide certain other things,'' Ganguly said, adding that a victory could lead the Indians facing Kenya in the semi-finals. The Indians would also be looking for a victory over the Kiwis here, especially to put behind the memories of a disastrous New Zealand tour prior to the cup where they lost the one-day series 2-5 as well as both the Tests.
Reacting to New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming's comments that India could be over-confident going into the game, especially as it comes after winning six games in a row at the cup, the Indian skipper said this was not the case. ''They (New Zealand) had also said many things about the Australians prior to their game against them... But had failed to beat them.
''Hence, nothing can be said like this,'' he said.
On the other hand, Fleming admitted the match against India was a big challenge, though adding that with six consecutive wins under their belt, the Indians could be over-confident. On the strategy they were likely to adopt, he said the Kiwis would look for early breakthroughs to take charge or either ''open up wounds as we did in New Zealand.''
New Zealand has so far eight points, behind Australia (20), India (16) and Kenya (10 points before today's match against Zimbabwe). However, Zimbabwe (3.5) and Sri Lanka (7.5) are still in reckoning for a place in the semis.
India has beaten Kenya and Sri Lanka in their super six league matches while New Zealand have won against Zimbabawe and lost to Australia. They play their third and final super six match against India.
Bureau Report
''The game is crucial for us as its result will decide certain other things,'' Ganguly said, adding that a victory could lead the Indians facing Kenya in the semi-finals. The Indians would also be looking for a victory over the Kiwis here, especially to put behind the memories of a disastrous New Zealand tour prior to the cup where they lost the one-day series 2-5 as well as both the Tests.
Reacting to New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming's comments that India could be over-confident going into the game, especially as it comes after winning six games in a row at the cup, the Indian skipper said this was not the case. ''They (New Zealand) had also said many things about the Australians prior to their game against them... But had failed to beat them.
''Hence, nothing can be said like this,'' he said.
On the other hand, Fleming admitted the match against India was a big challenge, though adding that with six consecutive wins under their belt, the Indians could be over-confident. On the strategy they were likely to adopt, he said the Kiwis would look for early breakthroughs to take charge or either ''open up wounds as we did in New Zealand.''
New Zealand has so far eight points, behind Australia (20), India (16) and Kenya (10 points before today's match against Zimbabwe). However, Zimbabwe (3.5) and Sri Lanka (7.5) are still in reckoning for a place in the semis.
India has beaten Kenya and Sri Lanka in their super six league matches while New Zealand have won against Zimbabawe and lost to Australia. They play their third and final super six match against India.
Bureau Report