Little Master confident on India's chances
India batsman Sachin Tendulkar is looking to fill one of few remaining holes on his CV by winning the World Cup on home soil.
Tendulkar, 37, has more than 32,000 runs and 97 centuries in international cricket but has never tasted victory at the ICC's global 50-over showpiece.
The closest he has come was in South Africa in 2003 when India lost to Australia in the final.
"I still want to achieve something and everyone knows that," said Tendulkar.
Rise
Tendulkar believes India's position at the top of the Test rankings over the last couple of years has added to the team's belief that a World Cup triumph is possible.
"To get there was not easy, we had to work very hard," he added. "There were lots of challenges but we stood together, backing each other, trusting each other and achieved various things as a team.
"When we got there (in 2009) many people thought that it was may be a matter of 30-40 days as the South Africa series (2010) was coming up and no one expected us to do well to be honest.
"After losing the first Test in Nagpur, we got to hear that soon we will lose the number one spot. But here I am standing today after almost a year and we are still number one.
"To get there is wonderful but to stay there for a year in this competitive era is just fantastic."
Change
Tendulkar, who enjoyed his best ever year with the bat in 2010, also singled out India coach Gary Kirsten for praise.
"Gary Kirsten has brought a remarkable change in our side," he said of the former South Africa opener.
"I found the atmosphere in the dressing room quite different and that has brought all the changes.
"I think all batsmen have performed well since 2007."
The World Cup takes place in Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka from February 19 to April 2.
India are drawn in Group B alongside Bangladesh, England, Ireland, the Netherlands, South Africa and West Indies.
Tendulkar, 37, has more than 32,000 runs and 97 centuries in international cricket but has never tasted victory at the ICC's global 50-over showpiece.
The closest he has come was in South Africa in 2003 when India lost to Australia in the final.
"I still want to achieve something and everyone knows that," said Tendulkar.
Rise
Tendulkar believes India's position at the top of the Test rankings over the last couple of years has added to the team's belief that a World Cup triumph is possible.
"To get there was not easy, we had to work very hard," he added. "There were lots of challenges but we stood together, backing each other, trusting each other and achieved various things as a team.
"When we got there (in 2009) many people thought that it was may be a matter of 30-40 days as the South Africa series (2010) was coming up and no one expected us to do well to be honest.
"After losing the first Test in Nagpur, we got to hear that soon we will lose the number one spot. But here I am standing today after almost a year and we are still number one.
"To get there is wonderful but to stay there for a year in this competitive era is just fantastic."
Change
Tendulkar, who enjoyed his best ever year with the bat in 2010, also singled out India coach Gary Kirsten for praise.
"Gary Kirsten has brought a remarkable change in our side," he said of the former South Africa opener.
"I found the atmosphere in the dressing room quite different and that has brought all the changes.
"I think all batsmen have performed well since 2007."
The World Cup takes place in Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka from February 19 to April 2.
India are drawn in Group B alongside Bangladesh, England, Ireland, the Netherlands, South Africa and West Indies.

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