India opening batsman Virender Sehwag is hoping for a first World Cup century to lead his team to victory over New Zealand tonight.
"I am ready for New Zealand," he said. "I hope to get a hundred."
India, already in the semifinals, return to the ground where they beat Pakistan by six wickets in the first round, having suffered their one defeat at the venue, against defending champions Australia.
"This is India's favourite ground," Sehwag said.
Asked about the side's one-day series defeat in New Zealand, he added: "We will try hard to avenge those defeats."
The Delhi right-hander hit two centuries in that series while the rest of the top order repeatedly collapsed on seaming pitches.
"Those were different wickets, these are different wickets and different conditions," Sehwag said.
"The wickets here are similar to the ones we get in India, except there is more bounce and some movement."
The Supersport Park pitch, however, has favoured batsmen. India chased down a target of 274 against Pakistan.
Sehwag said India would not be intimidated by strike bowler Shane Bond, who ripped through Australia's top-order this week in taking a career-best six for 23.
"Our strategy will be to preserve wickets in the first 10 overs and build a big score," he said.
Sehwag said Sachin Tendulkar had helped him to his first cup 50 in Monday's 183-run Super Six win over Sri Lanka in Johannesburg.
Sehwag, who averages 34.43 in 65 one-dayers and has scored five centuries and nine fifties, easing back on his attacking style to score 66.
"Sachin kept telling me to curb my usual style and show more determination because I wasn't getting big scores," he said.
Tendulkar has scored a record 571 runs in the tournament.
"I did not have a great start to the World Cup, but with ... Sachin at the other end, I have no worries.
"It is fantastic to watch him bat. He keeps telling me to hang in there and the runs will come and that's what I did against Sri Lanka when I made a half-century."
- REUTERS
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Cricket: Sehwag finds his form at the ideal time for India
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