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Last Updated:  Thursday, 20 March, 2003, 03:33 GMT
India v Kenya preview
World Cup, Durban: India v Kenya, Thursday, 1230 GMT

Kennedy Otieno is taken off the field after injury his arm against Australia
Kennedy Otieno has been declared fit for Kenya
Kenya will be bidding for their third victory over India and a shock place in the World Cup final when the two sides meet in Durban on Thursday.

The Kenyans have previously defeated the Indians at Gwalior in May 1998 and later at Port Elizabeth in October 2001.

And with rain forecast for Durban, the Duckworth-Lewis system for settling rain-affected matches may introduce an element of luck into what appears to be a David v Goliath encounter.

There is a reserve day allocated for the match on Friday, but brief interruptions for rain on Thursday could play havoc with either team's attempts to build an innings.

Kenya coach Sandeep Patil is confident his side's tag as overwhelming underdogs, which has already seen them defeat Test-playing nations Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, will help their cause once more.

I've been expecting to play the final
India spinner Harbhajan Singh

He said: "We are playing with nothing to lose and it does help. We've beaten India in India and, in one-day cricket, the team that plays well stands a good chance of winning."

Patil, who was part of India's World Cup-winning side in 1983, added: "We are confident of doing well if we stick to the basics.

"Every batsman, even Sachin Tendulkar, is weak around the off-stump. If our bowlers show discipline and field well, anything can happen."

Kenya's initial injury crisis has cleared in time for the match.

All-rounders Maurice Odumbe (hamstring), Thomas Odoyo (groin) and batsman/wicket-keeper Kennedy Otieno Obuya (bruised arm) had all been major doubts for the semi-final.

But all three as well as captain Steve Tikolo, who has been struggling with tonsilitis, passed fitness tests on Monday.

India, who have fielded just 12 different players this tournament, look set to stick with the side that defeated New Zealand by seven wickets last week.

The Indians have been one of the form teams in South Africa but captain Sourav Ganguly is well aware of Kenya's shock factor.

India captain Sourav Ganguly
Ganguly has refused to let his side be complacent

He said: "Kenya have surprised quite a few teams. They've played well to reach the semi-finals and, in a World Cup semi-final, no team can be complacent."

Despite his captain playing down their favourite's tag, Harbhajan Singh was far more confident about his side's chances.

Singh, who is likely to lead India's spin attack, said: "I've been expecting to play the final.

"Kenya are a good side, they're playing well, but so are we."

The toss could yet prove the decisive factor in what is the final day-night game of the tournament.

Almost all the matches in South Africa have been won convincingly by the side batting first, except for India's previous tie with Kenya on 7 March when Ganguly steered his side to victory.


India (possible): Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Sourav Ganguly (captain), Mohammad Kaif, Rahul Dravid, Yuvraj Singh, Dinesh Mongia, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Javagal Srinath, Ashish Nehra

Kenya (possible): Kennedy Otieno, Ravindu Shah, Steve Tikolo (captain), Thomas Odoyo, Hitesh Modi, Maurice Odumbe, Collins Obuya, Tony Suji, Peter Ongondo, Martin Suji, Aasif Karim




WATCH AND LISTEN
Kenyan captain Steve Tikolo
"We are not feeling the pressure"


India coach John Wright:
"Motivation will take care of itself"



SEE ALSO
Key contests: India v Kenya
18 Mar 03 |  Team Pages
Bad weather looms in Durban
19 Mar 03 |  World Cup
Srinath warns of complacency
16 Mar 03 |  India
India rewrite captaincy rules
17 Mar 03 |  India
Kenya trio declared fit
17 Mar 03 |  Kenya
Have Your Say on India
14 Mar 03 |  Have Your Say
Have Your Say on Kenya
04 Jan 03 |  Have Your Say


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