Swashbuckling opener Virender Sehwag has promised to justify captain Rahul Dravid's backing with a bucketful of runs for India at the World Cup.

Chairman of selectors Dilip Vengsarkar said last week the struggling 28-year-old had been picked for the World Cup after Dravid insisted on his inclusion for the showpiece event.

A grateful Sehwag says he is determined to prove his worth when India open their campaign against Bangladesh in Trinidad on March 17.

"The backing I've received from Dravid has been a huge morale booster," Sehwag told reporters ahead of Friday's final warm-up match against the West Indies here.

"I now want to justify the faith in me and live up to the expectations."

Sehwag was included despite scoring just 273 runs in 15 one-dayers, including an unimpressive 19 off 23 balls against Sri Lanka a day before the squad was picked on February 12.

However he appeared to regain form with a typically aggressive 46 in the final match against the Sri Lankans five days later.

"I was confident of staging a comeback and the time I spent away from international cricket helped me get my focus back," he said.

"I did a lot of meditation.

"I'm quite happy with my form now. It's getting better and better with every session in the nets. I want to stay longer at the crease."

Sehwag, the only Indian to compile a triple century in Test cricket, has scored 4,833 runs from 167 one-dayers with seven centuries.

He is also a useful offspin bowler with 72 one-day wickets, giving Dravid an option of an additional spinner.

Sehwag said he was not concerned over being removed as vice-captain on the tour of South Africa in December-January because of his poor form.

"I was not expecting the vice-captaincy when it was given to me, nor was I disappointed when it was taken away," he said.

Senior pro Sachin Tendulkar, who voluntarily stepped down as India captain in 2000 to concentrate on his batting, was elevated as vice-captain to Dravid for the World Cup.

(Article: Copyright © 2007 AFP)