5 surprising ODI defeats for India against weaker opponents

3. Shocked by Kenya at Gwalior, 1998

Ravindu Shah excelled in Kenya’s first ODI victory over India

Kenya may have made it to the semi-finals of the 2003 World Cup but five years prior to that, they were not counted as a team which could cause much trouble to the top teams. Their only claim to fame was a shock triumph over West Indies in the 1996 World Cup. In 1998, the Kenyans toured India to play a triangular series which also featured Bangladesh.

By the time the penultimate match of the tournament between India and Kenya came about, both teams had already qualified for the final at Eden Gardens. With the Indians having won the previous encounter, no one really gave the minnows much of a chance.

The toss was won by the Kenyans and they batted first. Despite losing an early wicket, they got off to a blistering start courtesy of Ravindu Shah's 68-ball 70. Even after he got out, the visitors continued to bat well and riding on a confident 83 from Maurice Odumbe, they put up a formidable 265 on the board.

The Indian batting never really got going as they lost Sachin Tendulkar, Mohammad Azharuddin and Navjot Singh Sidhu by the 15th over. Rahul Dravid, debutant Jatin Paranjpe and Nayan Mongia offered some resistance but it was not enough as India were bowled out for 196. Odumbe delivered with the ball as well and was named 'Man of the Match'.