Delhi Daredevils skipper Virender Sehwag, in an exclusive chat with espnstar.com bares all before the IPL.

By Nishi Ahlawat

Q. You must be excited about the IPL in South Africa where you and Gautam Gambhir came of age as openers in the T20 World Cup.

A. I am looking forward to playing in the IPL. Gambhir and I did well as openers last time but it is unfortunate that we are not getting to play in India. But that is something which we cannot change as it is happening due to security reasons.

Q. Where do you see David Warner fitting into the batting order as he too is a specialist opener?

A. Well, I think it depends on the team combination. It's difficult to comment anything about it right now.

Q.You would certainly miss Mohammad Asif this time.

A. I don't think so, because we have other good bowlers also and they also have the capability to perform well.

Q. With a star-studded line up this time you would be favourites to lift the trophy and go the distance unlike last year.

A. We are not worried about the results but about the game. We just want to play good cricket and if we succeed in doing that, we would be able to win the IPL.

Q. Is there any young Indian talent in your team who you would back to take the IPL by storm?

A. Yes, we have a few good players in our team this time like Yo Mahesh, Pradeep Sangwan, Rajat Bhatia and last but not the least, Mithun Manhas. They all are good players and could make a mark in the IPL.

Q. Do you regret missing out on scoring in the Test series against New Zealand on flat batting decks?

A. Yes, I was upset as I couldn't score well in the Test series. But it's part of the game. Sometimes it's good and sometimes it's bad.

Q. A year after your comeback to the Test team, you would be delighted to be nominated as the World Player of the Year 2008 by Wisden?

A. It is a great honour for me to be nominated but it's an even greater honour to play for the country. They are appreciating because I am playing well. So, playing for my country makes me more proud than getting nominated.

Q. How do you look back at the last two years?

A. The year 2008 was no less than a dream year for me. I scored more than 1000 runs in Test cricket and more than 800 in ODI's and I hope to maintain the same in the year 2009 as well.