India breeze past Kenya

Almost everything fell neatly into place for India as they romped to a 98-run win in their opening game at Southampton. Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman piloted the innings with a responsible partnership and a surge at the end meant that India were boosted to 290. At no stage were Kenya in the hunt and Harbhajan Singh went about hammering the last nails in the Kenyan coffin.

Kenya chose to field first in favourable conditions but they were haunted by their old nemesis. In the last three games against Kenya, Sourav Ganguly had racked up three consecutive hundreds and averaged close to 72 against them. He had an even better record in the Champions Trophy, with an average of close to 82 in the 11 matches. Just like at Lord's a few days back, where he also made 90, Ganguly bided his time against a testing opening spell. His first four came as late as the 12th over, a delectable caress through the covers, but he gradually unfurled a few specials. Walking down the track and simultaneously making room, he carved a few balls over the infield.

Laxman scraped off all the early-season rustiness and, like Ganguly, showed signs of vintage form. He hadn't crossed fifty since his memorable century in the decider against Pakistan at Lahore. He was on his way with some wristy strokes but nearly threw it away after serving up a delicious appetizer. Martin Suji completed a splendid diving catch when he flicked one towards short midwicket, but a no-ball call meant that Laxman survived. Fifty came in 72 balls and he cranked it up from then on with some crisp slaps and sweeps.

Both Ganguly and Laxman fell while trying to up the ante. Ganguly yorked himself and lost his stumps as he charged down the pitch, while Laxman was stumped easily after he danced down the track trying to loft Steve Tikolo (213 for 4).

But Kaif and Dravid ensured that India took off from this launching pad and rattled up 77 in the last 41 balls. With a mix of whippet-like urgency and judicious placement, both manufactured 41 runs in singles and twos. Rageb Aga, the debutant, was crashed to all parts and he was at the receiving end of Dravid's scooped six over extra cover. Kaif fell just one short of his half-century, but by then the momentum was well and truly with India.

Irfan Pathan and Harbhajan picked up the baton and took India to the brink of victory even before the halfway stage of the Kenyan innings. The darting swing generated by Pathan left the top-order batsmen clueless and there were a number of very close shouts for lbw. He finally got his reward only in the 7th over of the innings, when Steve Tikolo was plumb in front. Hitesh Modi fell soon when Ganguly judged a steepling skier to perfection (21 for 3).

Ravindu Shah plodded on and, along with Thomas Odoyo, took close to ten overs to add 37. But Harbhajan sawed off the resistance as he picked up 3 for 11 in his first five overs. Shah fell flashing at a wide one, Aga completed a forgettable debut and offered a bat-pad chance, while Odoyo was deceived by the sharp turn and bounce. Dinesh Karthik snapped up two smart catches in the wreckage (74 for 6).

Maurice Ouma and Brijal Patel delayed the inevitable with a 92-run stand, mainly because Ganguly decided to give his part-time bowlers a go. Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh and himself sent down as many as 17 overs. Ouma (49) was out to the last ball of Ajit Agarkar's spell as he had no answer to a well directed shorter ball that clipped the glove (166 for 7).

Kenya managed to play out the 50 overs and finished on 192 for 7 and now have three days to recover from this mauling. Pakistan, though, may turn out to be even more ferocious opponents.