Ganguly - magnificent century (Getty Images)

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Sourav Ganguly provided another supreme exhibition of leadership to propel India into a World Cup final meeting with Australia after a 91-run demolition of Kenya.

Ganguly's proud display ensured there was no room for any more giantkilling from Kenya and he guided India to a comprehensive semi-final triumph with 3.4 overs remaining under the lights at Kingsmead.

Often credited with providing the team spirit and ruthless attitude which has transformed India, this time Ganguly provided the impetus they required to crush their lowly opposition.

Ganguly initially provided the springboard for India to reach a commanding 270 for four with a brilliant unbeaten 111 after openers Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag had fought a slow wicket and damp outfield.

Not content with setting an example with the bat, he also set hustled and chased in the field to rule out any complacency from his dominant side even when Kenya lost four early wickets.

Those efforts have now been rewarded with the chance to lead out his side at the Wanderers on Sunday as the two best sides in the tournament meet with Ganguly within reach of history.

Dismissed as being self-centred during his one season with Lancashire, he has adapted to the responsibility of leadership and is now only one match away from emulating Kapil Dev's achievement in 1983 by lifting the World Cup.

The last time he came into contact with Kenya during the Super Six stage Ganguly was forced to play a mature and decisive innings, hitting an unbeaten 107 after his side slipped to 24 for three to clinch a six-wicket victory.

Today he provided the attacking intent, succeeding where Tendulkar and Sehwag had failed before him during a 74-run opening stand by launching a savage assault on Kenya's attack to hit five sixes and five other boundaries.

Sehwag had progressed to 33 from 56 deliveries, which included three boundaries, when he became frustrated and tried to hit seamer Peter Ondongo over the top and instead got a top edge to Maurice Odumbe at cover.

Ganguly wasted little time in signalling his intent, hitting a straight six off Steve Tikolo's off spin and pulling another off leg-spinner Collins Odoyo to briefly overshadow the illustrious strokeplay of Tendulkar.

That situation did not last long with Tendulkar, who had entered the match with a record tournament aggregate of 586 runs, progressing to his seventh half-century in 10 innings during a 103-run partnership spanning 120 balls.

Tendulkar was unable to claim his second century of the competition, pulling Tikolo straight to the mid-wicket boundary and giving Ganguly the licence to dominate the remainder of the innings.

He brought up his 22nd one-day international century with the final six of his innings, driving Martin Suji's full toss over long on to claim a record 14th such boundary of the tournament.

Already looking every inch the underdogs when they began their reply, the gulf in class was highlighted by the loss of four Kenyan wickets inside the first 15 overs from which they never really recovered.

Once again the expertise demonstrated by Javagal Srinath, Ashish Nehra and Zaheer Khan with the new ball set the tone for Kenya's reply.

Once their top four had departed Kenya adopted more of a damage-limitation exercise and that they came within 100 runs of India's total was a tribute to the attacking strokeplay of captain Tikolo.

He hit two sixes and five other boundaries in his 56 while Collins Obuya produced a career-best 29 before becoming the first of two victims for Tendulkar.

By the time Srinath bowled last man Suji, any tension normally associated with a semi-final had long gone and the crowd were left to salute a lap of honour by Kenya, who were determined to enjoy the moment.

While they were milking the applause of the large Indian support, however, man-of-the-match Ganguly had already led his victorious team back to the dressing room to plan their challenge of Australia in Sunday's final.