Sourav Ganguly has reminded the Indian team of the need to maintain their focus after securing a semi-final place with one match to spare.
We want to win because winning becomes a habit
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They go into their final Super Six match against New Zealand on Friday, knowing that the result will not affect their place in the knockout phase of the tournament.
But captain Ganguly does not want to go into the semi-finals on the back of a defeat.
"We've played very good cricket over the past year, and I'm not surprised we're playing well here.
"We're a good unit; we know our strengths and we play to our strengths and we've got match-winners in every position which makes a huge difference.
"We're playing well. But the important games are still to come, and we have to continue to play this well," he said.
India would prefer to avoid playing the day-night semi-final in Durban, but are unlikely to topple Australia at the top of the table.
Australia are the only team to have beaten India so far, but Ganguly is playing down the significance of that result, should they meet again.
India's exploits have delighted young fans back at home
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"It's a special tournament, a World Cup and it's coming down to a knockout situation now so the past has to be forgotten - it's what we do from now on that counts."
India have been playing almost constantly for the past 12 months, but Ganguly is confident their physical conditioning will carry them through the remainder of the tournament.
"When you're in a World Cup semi-final I think that takes all the
tiredness out of a cricketer.
"It's a lifetime ambition for all of us. As cricketers we have all dreamed of playing in a World Cup semi-final or a World Cup final.
"I've never played in a World Cup semi-final before, so I don't think any of our guys will feel any tiredness."