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'We are confident of playing good cricket against England'
India opener Virender Sehwag is seemed to have found his lost touch having scored a century against Uttar Pradesh in a Ranji Trophy tie. The veteran hoped to carry on the good form in the upcoming four-match Test series against England.
"I am happy that I scored 100 against UP. Whether I am back in form or not, is not for me to decide but I thought I played well enough and hope to do well (against England).
"I think they are a good side but so are we. We are preparing well for the series. We are confident of playing good cricket against them. We have a practice camp before the series starting November 9. I think it will be a tough series for both of us. We are eagerly waiting for the series to start," said Sehwag.
Talking about his finger injury that he suffered during Delhi's Ranji match against UP in Ghaziabad, Sehwag said, "The condition of my finger is getting better. It's fine at the moment."
He also expressed disappointment at Delhi's failure to eke out a draw.
"I am disappointed that we could not draw the match. We gave our best in the match."
'This revenge series talk is all media hype'
He also rubbished suggestions that it's a revenge series for India who were whitewashed 0-4 last year against the same opposition in England.
"We are not here for revenge. All this vengeance etc. is due to media hype. We are concentrating on playing well and winning for the team and country," he said.
India will play in Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Kolkata and Nagpur.
The national selectors showed faith in Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir by picking them in the team for the England series. Gambhir had recently said that both are still the best opening pair in the country. Asked if he shares the same thought and Sehwag replied: "Yes, we are".
Sehwag will complete a century of Test matches during the series -- he has so far represented India 98 times in the five-day format.
"It was my dream to play for my country. Since the time I achieved that, my next dream has been to perform well and play 100 Tests for India. I am very happy that moment is coming soon," he said.'My injury forced me to bat in the middle order'
Sehwag refused to comment on the selectors' decision to pick four openers (Abhinav Mukund and Murali Vijay).
"It's the decision taken by the national selectors. They know it well."
Sehwag scored the ton in the Ranji match, batting in the middle-order owing to a finger-injury, but refuted suggestions that he might bat in a similar position against England.
"My injury forced me to bat in the middle order. The doctor did not give me local anaesthesia on time. The team management will decide the middle order and not the player himself," he said.
He also congratulated Sachin Tendulkar, who will be conferred the Order of Australia in Mumbai on Tuesday.
"It's a great honour for me watching Tendulkar getting another honour. I will ask him about it when I will meet him in the practice camp."
Coach Duncan Fletcher was absent from the meeting of BCCI selection committee and asked about it, the 34-year-old said, "Fletcher will be available during the three-day coaching camp starting November 9."