DURBAN, March 18: India coach John Wright effectively dismissed Kenya’s World Cup semifinal challenge on Tuesday by suggesting his players were destined to lift the trophy.

Wright told a new conference: “I feel their time is right.”

India must beat Kenya in Thursday’s day-nighter to reach the final against Australia at The Wanderers in Johannesburg on Sunday but Wright, normally so diplomatic, appeared to reject any possibility of defeat.

Asked if India’s leading batsman Sachin Tendulkar was on course to become the player of the tournament, he said: “He still has got two more games to play, two very important innings.

“Sachin Tendulkar has been a great leader for us in this tournament, along with some of our other senior players as well.”

Tendulkar has scored a record 586 runs at almost a run a ball in the World Cup, at an average of 65.11.

Victory against Kenya, who they beat earlier in the tournament, will give India an eighth win in succession, matching their national record.—Reuters