India captain Sourav Ganguly defended his bowling tactics while arguing that his team's desperately one-sided World Cup semi-final victory over Kenya on Thursday was good preparation for the final against Australia.
Ganguly, who set up the 91-run win with an unbeaten century in the day-nighter, was asked why he bowled a string of occasional bowlers rather than try to kill off the outclassed Kenyans after they had slumped to 92 for six.
The India skipper said Yuvraj Singh, Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag might have to bowl in Sunday's final.
"We wanted to give everybody a bowl once they were 92 for six," he said. "They obviously went for a few runs, but once the fast bowlers came back we finished it off quickly.
"I thought the bowlers did very well, it is just one of those days that Rahul (Dravid) did not have a great day behind the stumps."
India had not played for six days before meeting Kenya on Thursday and produced a low-key, error-strewn display in the field even though they were never under threat after winning the toss and making 270 for four.
Kenya's reply of 179 all out included 39 in extras, the second biggest contribution after Steve Tikolo hit 56, including two sixes and two fours and 21 runs off a Yuvraj Singh over.
Neither Javagal Srinath (one wicket for 11) nor fellow pace bowler Ashish Nehra (two for 11) were given their full 10 overs. Yuvraj Singh's six overs went for 43.
Asked if the match had been a good warm-up for Ricky Ponting's Australians, Ganguly replied: "I think it was a good preparation. Winning the last eight games in a row, that is definitely good preparation for a World Cup final."
India's only defeat in the tournament came when the Australians beat them by nine wickets in the first round, bowling them out for 125, their lowest total in any World Cup. Ricky Ponting's side then rattled up the winning runs in 22.2 overs.
Around 18,000 spectators attended Thursday's game although some 2,000-3,000 had left well before the end.
Ganguly said he had been concerned when Tendulkar drew his attention to lightning after the initial overs.
"But once we finished 15 overs then we had spinners at both ends to quickly get to 25. We were lucky that way," he said.
Tikolo, asked who he expected to win the final, said: "I would go with Australia. The way they have played, they have had close games and they have come through them."
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