Batsman admits it was "disheartening" to be dropped
Ramnaresh Sarwan believes West Indies can prove their critics wrong and flourish at the World Cup.
The batsman recalled to the one-day squad for the tournament, hit a fine century in West Indies' warm-up win over Kenya on Saturday.
Despite the victory, the men from the Caribbean are being tipped to struggle in Group B, where they are joined by joint-hosts Bangladesh and India, as well as England, South Africa and associate nations Ireland and the Netherlands.
However Sarwan insists the main concern for the players is performing to their best of abilities in the subcontinent.
Focused
"We are not too concerned about what people say," the 30-year-old said after a practice session in Colombo.
"We are focused on what we have to do, and that is to play well as a team, and if we do that everything will take care of itself.
"We are a good team, so discounting us doesn't bother us, we have to play well as a team and everything will be settled with that and I am sure we have the ability to do well."
Sarwan was dropped from the one-day team after the home series against South Africa in May and June of last year. He also missed out on a central contract due to concerns over his fitness and a lack of form.
"Of course it was disheartening to be dropped and not being able to play for the West Indies," the former West Indies skipper added.
"But that's behind me now and it's important now to contribute and as a team able to play well in this World Cup."
West Indies begin their World Cup campaign against South Africa in New Delhi on February 24. Their final warm-up match sees them take on Sri Lanka on Tuesday.
The batsman recalled to the one-day squad for the tournament, hit a fine century in West Indies' warm-up win over Kenya on Saturday.
Despite the victory, the men from the Caribbean are being tipped to struggle in Group B, where they are joined by joint-hosts Bangladesh and India, as well as England, South Africa and associate nations Ireland and the Netherlands.
However Sarwan insists the main concern for the players is performing to their best of abilities in the subcontinent.
Focused
"We are not too concerned about what people say," the 30-year-old said after a practice session in Colombo.
"We are focused on what we have to do, and that is to play well as a team, and if we do that everything will take care of itself.
"We are a good team, so discounting us doesn't bother us, we have to play well as a team and everything will be settled with that and I am sure we have the ability to do well."
Sarwan was dropped from the one-day team after the home series against South Africa in May and June of last year. He also missed out on a central contract due to concerns over his fitness and a lack of form.
"Of course it was disheartening to be dropped and not being able to play for the West Indies," the former West Indies skipper added.
"But that's behind me now and it's important now to contribute and as a team able to play well in this World Cup."
West Indies begin their World Cup campaign against South Africa in New Delhi on February 24. Their final warm-up match sees them take on Sri Lanka on Tuesday.
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