Complacency India’s biggest danger

Well, Kenya are here in the Super Six, like it or not, and take on India tomorrow upbeat and running on adrenaline. They have everything to play for; India have everything to lose — and are the only test-playing nation to have lost to Kenya twice.

Adding to the skewed equations is the fact that this is a day and night match, and everyone knows how much form and reputation count under those circumstances.

The numbers are, of course, stacked up against Kenya: 15 ODIs played in the past four years, no world cup century, highest opening stand of 66. To put things in perspective, Sachin Tendulkar’s individual tally of World Cup runs is more than the Kenyans.

But Saurav Ganguly was keen to emphasise today that the Indians wouldn’t be taking it lightly. ‘‘They’ve qualified with 10 points and, after Australia, are the team with the maximum number of points’’, he said. ‘‘“If we think we are going to take this game lightly, we could be in trouble.’’

‘‘Kenya is in a position where, if things go well, they could qualify for the semi-finals. It will be a huge mistake if we treat them as easy opponents.’’

What will also be important is for India not to lose the winning momentum. ‘‘We have to take one game at a time as we dont wan’t to lose the winning sequence. As for the semi-finals, I dont think we need to worry about it right now.’’

So what can stop the Indians from winning the match that will probably take them to the semis? Mishaps and misfortune excepted, the worst-case scenario for India is this: Ganguly loses the toss, Kenya bats first, notches up a healthy score and then, under the lights, hope for a huge Indian batting collapse.

The toss first. Kenya should win; Ganguly can’t win even with a coin from Sholay. It’s likely downhill from there, though, as Kenya’s coach Sandeep Patil confessed that ‘‘batting is the department where we have been found wanting.’’ Kenya’s big hope is the form of Ravindu Shah and Hitesh Modi.

While Shah can score fast, Modi can drop anchor. But with the Indian seamers firing all cylinders the chances of the Kenyans finding their touch at Newlands is too farfetched.

Finally, do the Kenyans have enough to demolish the in-form Indian batting? Let’s put it this way: We shouldn’t expect to see Dravid in pads.

Kenya’s main hope has been leg-spinner Collins Obuya, who had a match-winning haul of 5/24 against Lanka. But a team that gave Shane Warne nightmares wouldn’t lose sleep over that.

Nor over the possibility of anyone seeking tapes of the match tomorrow. There have been upsets, and India have suffered so too, but this is really their match to lose.

Although, if we knew the result already, this wouldn’t be cricket, would it?