Ganguly takes aim at 2007 World Cup

Sourav Ganguly led India to the World Cup final in South Africa, only to see his side falter at the final hurdle. But he has higher hopes of the 2007 edition of the tournament in the West Indies, as he revealed to the press at Kolkata on Tuesday.

"We would have loved to win the 2003 World Cup. But it was not to be, though we made it to the final. Now, we will give it a try in 2007," said Ganguly to Aaj Tak.

Ganguly's primary source of optimism was that India fielded a relatively young side in South Africa, and that the team would only get stronger as it played more cricket together before 2007. "Considering the age of the current team members, I don't think many of them will miss the next World Cup," he said.

Ganguly also added that the current county stints of national cricketers like Rahul Dravid, Mohammad Kaif, Yuvraj Singh and Virender Sehwag would benefit the Indian team in the long run. "They have got an opportunity to improve. I feel by the time the next season starts, they will become better cricketers," he said.

His own career, said Ganguly, was no cause for complaint. "Sometimes it was hard. But then when you are at the helm of a national side, that's how things are bound to be," he said. "So far, God has indeed been kind to me."