Need to maintain consistency, says Sehwag

Dhaka:

Ahead of India's first assignment this year, vice-captain Virender Sehwag on Saturday told his teammates to maintain the kind of consistency that has made them the number one Test team in the world.

Sehwag, who arrived here today along with his teammates for an ODI tri-series to be followed by a two-match Test series against hosts Bangladesh, said the team would try its best to maintain the high standard that has become the hallmark of the side.

"Our target is to play good cricket. Last two years, we have played very tough and good cricket and hopefully we will do it in 2010 also," Sehwag said after the team's arrival.

"It's important for the team to play well consistently. If you do that you will stay there in number one or number two positions," he said.

Even though India comprehensibly beat Sri Lanka at home and the islanders would be without key players like Sanath Jayasuriya, Muttiah Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis and Mahela Jayawardene, Sehwag refused to underestimate them.

"When new players break into the side, nobody really knows what he will do or what his strength is. It's difficult for the teams to bowl or bat against them.

"I think Sri Lanka still are a good side. It will be a tough task for us," a cautious Sehwag said. The swashbuckling opener expected the pitches here to be similar to the ones in India and sounded worried about the dew factor.

"I think whenever you play in the sub-continent you get more or less the same kind of wicket," he said.

"It's generally a good track to bat on and the wicket subsequently gets slower and slower. Dew can also be a big factor," Sehwag said.

Sri Lanka, who arrive later in the day, will meet the hosts in the tournament opener on Monday while India begin their campaign with a game against the Lankans on Tuesday at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.

The final of the tri-series is scheduled on January 13. After the tournament, India will play the first Test against Bangladesh from January 17 at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong and the second Test is slated for January 24-28 at SBNS here.