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Ganguly Takes India To Final

Friday, March 21 2003

An elegant yet brutal Sourav Ganguly once again played a captains knock, and led his team to a spot in Cricket's biggest tournament, the World Cup 2003 final against Australia to be played at The Wanderers Stadium.

The highly fancied Indian's were up against a spirited and charged up Kenyan outfit. Sourav Ganguly won the toss, and had no hesitation to bat first on a rather moist, slowish pitch, which would offer more assistance during the night.

The Indian openers Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar began in their customary aggressive style, with Sehwag timing a lovely cover drive straight to the cover fence. Kenya though bowled tightly, and India's run rate dropped to four runs an over.

Tendulkar looking to bat the innings through, gave glimpeses of his power and class, pulling a slightly short ball all the way for four. Sehwag was the first man to go though, once more not timing a on drive, which looped up only to be caught by Odumbe. Sehwag gone for 33 with the score at 1/74.

Captain Sourav Ganguly strode to the middle, with a century against Kenya in the Super Six matches. Ganguly, as he does took some time settling in, whilst Tendulkar was looking magical with some beautiful straight drives and cover drives. Tendulkar reached his 50 soon after off 64 balls, and looked set to carry on.

Ganguly got going soon after with two huge blows of leg spinner Collins Obuya. Both went sailing over the roof, and out of the ground through the mid wicket region, as Ganguly stepped out of his crease and smashed it out of Kingsmead.
Ganguly once again looking brutal against Kenya brought up his 50.

The partnership between two of One Day cricket's greatest ever players was going along smoothly until Tendulkar pulled one off Tikolo straight to the tall David Obuya who took a magnificent leaping catch. Tendulkar gone for 80 and India were 2/177.

As Tendulkar departed, Kaif was run out for 15 by a good piece of fielding by Kenya. Then the brutal slaughter of the Kenyan's started as Ganguly hit some magnificent shots to the boundary and over the boundary.

Yuvraj joined the act and together they both took 18 off the 48th. Ganguly brought up his century with a powerful straight six, his 5th in his innings. Yuvraj fell for 16, trying another aerial shot, but the damage was already done, India making a rather large 4/270 in their 50 overs.

The Kenyan openers Ravindu Shah and Kennedy Obuya got things going as they started slowly but surely. The two created a partnership of 20, before Shah was caught in front by Zaheer Khan for 1. Nehra was bought back and immediately dismissed the promoted Ongondo for a duck, and Kenya were on the mat at 2/21.

Kennedy Obuya had to support the Kenyan's and ensure they fight til the very end, he battled away for his 15 off 43 balls before Srinath had him edging to keeper Rahul Dravid. Kenya looking at sea at 3/30. Odoyo fell to Nehra for 7 caught by Virender Sehwag and Kenya 4/36 were sliding and sliding very rapidly.

Captain Steve Tikolo and veteran all rounder Maurice Odumbe began the re-building of the Kenyan innings. The two did not hesitate to go for their shots, as they decided to fight fire with fire and attack. Odumbe though fell soon for 19 caught by Zaheer Khan off the bowling of Yuvraj Singh.

Tikolo continued to show why he is Kenya's best batsman, and continued to run the singles hard and dismiss the bad ball to the boundary gutter. With some support from leg spinner Collins Obuya, Tikolo reached his 50, and a well deserved one as well.

Soon after though Tikolo was bowled by Sachin Tendulkar for a great innings of 56. Obuya reached 29 which included one six before Tendulkar also grabbed his scalp. Zaheer Khan finished the game off, cleaning up Martin Suji for just 1. Kenya all out for 179, India winning by 91 runs and will meet Australia in the World Cup 2003 Final.


Brief Score Summary:

India: 270/4 (Ganguly 111*, Tendulkar 80, Ongondo 1/38, Odoyo 1/45)

Kenya: 179 All Out (Tikolo 56, C Obuya 29, Zaheer 3/14, Nehra 2/11, Tendulkar 2/28)

Cricket Web Player Of The Match: Sourav Ganguly (India)

Posted by Sangrah