CAPE TOWN, March 7: Opener Kennedy Obuya struck a chancy 79 to help Kenya to 225 for six in their World Cup Super Six match against India on Friday.

Obuya struck his eighth one-day 50 and shared in two important partnerships after captain Steve Tikolo had elected to bat first in the day-night match at Newlands.

The 30-year-old wicket-keeper shared in a 75-run opening partnership with Ravindu Shah (34) before adding another 76 for the third wicket with Thomas Odoyo. Odoyo, promoted up the order, scored 32.

Kenya were helped by sloppy Indian catching and fielding, particularly in the early stages when their new ball bowlers toiled on a perfect batting pitch.

Both Obuya and Shah were dropped once each soon after reaching double figures while a sloppy Harbhajan Singh at square leg did not make any genuine attempt to catch two mis-hits by Otieno.

Obuya maintained his concentration to play powerful shots before he was bowled by a well pitched-up off-break from Harbhajan Singh. He hit two huge sixes and six fours in his 134-ball effort.

Tikolo’s poor form in the tournament continued when he swept Harbhajan to square-leg after scoring only three runs. Kenya’s best batsman has yet to hit a half-century from six innings at the World Cup.

Left-arm paceman Zaheer Khan had effected a sharp direct hit at the non-striker’s end to remove Shah as India took two wickets in the space of six runs to regain control.

Earlier, Obuya and the in-form Shah thrived on their let-offs.

Shah drove Zaheer past midwicket and pulled Javagal Srinath for boundaries to complete 1,000 one-day runs.

Obuya also seemed at ease against the Indian pacemen, who bowled consistently short on a good batting pitch. Nehra was the lone exception, conceding just 30 runs from his 10-over spell without a wicket.

Obuya on 11, saw Harbhajan let his looping mis-pull drop close to him to concede a single. Off the next ball slip fielder Dinesh Mongia grassed a thick edge by Shah, then on 19 with Kenya’s total 34 in the ninth over.

Obuya had another let-off on 18 when Mohammad Kaif at extra cover let an easy chance bounce off his hands following an uppish drive against Nehra.

Zaheer eventually ran out Shah after Obuya had played him to midwicket and showed no interest in a sharp single.

Scoreboard

KENYA: