Team India toured Kenya for a quadrangular tournament which also featured hosts Kenya with South Africa and Zimbabwe. The men in blue began yet another cycle of rebuilding their side. Just a few months earlier the team had crashed out of the super-six stage of the 1999 ODI World Cup in England.
The men in blue began the tournament with an 8-wicket win over South Africa. Sunil Joshi bowled 10 overs and picked 5 wickets for just 6 runs. The Proteas were all out for 117 as India chased down the total in 22.4 overs with Sourav Ganguly scoring 38.
In their next game India beat Kenya by 58 runs as Sadagoppan Ramesh top scored with 50 while Venkatesh Prasad picked 3/26 from his 9 overs. With India nearly through to the finals they had to face Zimbabwe who were knocked out of the tournament.
Sourav Ganguly’s century leads India to huge win
Alistair Campbell won the toss and chose to bowl first as Ajay Jadeja led the Indian side. S. Ramesh and Sourav Ganguly added 70 runs for the first wicket in 16.1 overs. Ramesh was the first wicket to fall after scoring 31. Robin Singh playing his 100th ODI for India came in to bat at number 3 for India and scored 41 off 62 balls.
The two left-handed batters added 107 runs for the 2nd wicket in 128 balls. Sourav Ganguly reached his fifty off 73 balls with 7 hits to the fence. From there the left-handed batter went to score runs at a quicker pacer. Ganguly got to his century in 125 balls with his next 50 runs coming from 52 balls with a total of 11 fours and one six.
Henry Olonga ended the carnage as he had Ganguly caught by skipper Campbell for 139 off 147 balls with 11 fours and 5 sixes. India ended their innings at 277/6 from 50 overs with Guy Whittal picking 3 wickets.
Zimbabwe were all out for 170 in the 39th over with Neil Johnson top scoring with 52. His knock came off 67 as he was caught by Sunil Joshi off Nikhil Chopra. The off spinner was the best bowler for India with 4/33 from 8.3 overs. Vijay Bharadwaj was the next best bowler with 3/34 from his 6 overs as India won by 107 runs to reach the finals.
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