CAPE TOWN, March 6: Saurav Ganguly said India would not repeat the same mistakes against Kenya in their World Cup meeting on Friday after suffering a shock defeat against the Africans two years ago.

Ganguly said India had not taken Kenya seriously when they crashed to defeat in a tri-series encounter, also in South Africa.

“We didn’t bat well that day in Port Elizabeth,” Ganguly told a new conference before Friday’s day-night Super Six match at Newlands.

Kenya made 246 for six before bowling India out for 176 in October, 2001.

“We had got them out for 90 in the previous game,” Ganguly said. “So we were probably a bit over-confident.

“But that was a tri-series. Things are different now. The mindset is different.

“I don’t think we will make that mistake again.”

Ganguly also said his side had quickly recovered from their shock two years ago to crush Kenya by 186 runs in their next game.

India were boosted on Thursday after opener Virender Sehwag was passed fit to face Kenya, having injured his right index finger attempting a catch during Wednesday’s practice.

“He is fit and will play tomorrow,” Ganguly said. “It is just a sore finger which is absolutely okay.”

Ganguly added said no team could afford to underestimate Kenya.

“After Australia (12 points), they are the team who have carried most points (10) into the Super Six.

“If things don’t go properly (for rival teams), they can qualify for the semifinals. Taking them lightly will be a huge, huge mistake.

“There are other games we could lose. So we have to be extra careful against Kenya,” he said.

“We have carried through eight points, which gives us some advantage. We don’t want to lose this winning streak.”

India’s other second-round matches are against Sri Lanka and New Zealand.

India have won four consecutive matches after their nine-wicket drubbing by Australia in their second match.

Kenya, meanwhile, confirmed the fears of neutrals that they could be on the wrong end of some one-sided matches in the Super Six when they lost by 142 runs in their final Group ‘B’ match against the West Indies in Kimberley on Tuesday.

The Kenyans travelled to Cape Town on Wednesday and had one full session in the nets on Thursday morning.

If the Africans are to be a threat to an in-form Indian team they will probably need to bat first and post a reasonable total, then try to put the Indians under pressure.

Opening batsmen Ravindu Shah and Kennedy Obuya both made half-centuries in the upset in Port Elizabeth and will need to get their side off to a good start, while classy batsman Steve Tikolo, the Kenyan captain, will be seeking to find better form than he has so far shown in the tournament.

Teams (from):

INDIA: Saurav Ganguly (captain), Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Mohammad Kaif, Rahul Dravid, Yuvraj Singh, Dinesh Mongia, Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Javagal Srinath, Ashish Nehra, Parthiv Patel, Sanjay Bangar, Ajit Agarkar.

KENYA: Steve Tikolo (captain), Kennedy Obuya, Ravindu Shah, Brijal Patel, Hitrsh Modi, Maurice Odumbe, Thomas Odoyo, Collins Obuya, Peter Ongondo, Martin Suji, Tony Suji, Asif Karim, Alpesh Vadher, Joseph Angara, David Obuya.

Umpires: Daryl Harper (Australia) and Peter Willey (England).

TV umpire: Simon Taufel (Australia).

Match referee: Wasim Raja (Pakistan).—Reuters/AFP