India's overwhelming firepower should make toss redundant

India are lucky to play Kenya in the opening game of the Super Sixes. Even though it is a day/night game to be played Newlands in Cape Town, I don't think much fuss should be made about the toss. Clearly India are a much-better side and should win in a canter.

The change in India's fortunes is mainly due to the fact that Sachin Tendulkar is in blazing form. Back at his very best at the opening slot, he has begun to impose himself on the bowlers even before they can find their rhythm and start troubling the batsmen. The tremendous psychological advantage that is gained as a result is definitely working to our advantage.

Luckily for India, the little master has been consistent in the recent games. With this being the case, I see no reasons for worry as far as India are concerned.

Our batting is in fine form, and with Mohammad Kaif coming up the order and Dinesh Mongia dropping down, a fine balance has been found. The difference between Mongia and Kaif is that the latter is possibly the best runner between the wickets in this Indian side. So by keeping the strike rotating, he can ensure that someone like Tendulkar receives a fair share of the deliveries.

I am particularly glad that there has been a serious effort to build up partnerships, which I think is the key element in these one-day games. You can't have one batsman in full cry and wickets falling at regular intervals at the other end.

On Friday, then, the only thing the Indian team will have to guard against is complacency. I am sure they have learnt their lessons after their shock defeat by Kenya at Port Elizabeth in October 2001. These days you just can't take your opponents lightly, as Sri Lanka discovered to their dismay in Nairobi.

Having said that, India are leagues ahead of Kenya and they shouldn't bother too much about what to do. They should go out there and play their natural cricket and enjoy what they do in the middle. With games against Sri Lanka and New Zealand to follow, the one against Kenya should be treated as the ideal warm-up game. By beating the African side, India will also exert pressure on New Zealand to win a minimum of two games out of the three.

The one worry that India will, though, have is which bowler to play and which bowler to leave out. With Kumble making a comeback for the Pakistan game, there will be a long discussion about whom to play against Kenya. My choice will be Harbhajan Singh, for the simple reason that he is a far more attacking bowler, and also because if need be, he can also contribute a few quick runs with the bat.