'India can win with spin'

While many sides will expect much from their pace attacks, India coach John Wright is backing spinners Harbhajan and Kumble to have a major impact during ICC Trophy.

India coach John Wright is backing spinners Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble to have a major impact during the ICC Champions Trophy in England.

India, co-holders of the trophy after 2002's washed-out final against Sri Lanka in Colombo, begin the defence of their title against Kenya at the Rose Bowl in Southampton on Saturday.

And while many sides, India included, will be expecting much from their pace attacks, the Asian giants know they can count on two of the best slow bowlers in the game today.

On Sunday, in the final match of India's warm-up series against England at Lord's, off-spinner Harbhajan took a masterful three for 28 in 10 overs to end the hosts' hopes of a 3-0 clean sweep.

Meanwhile leg-spinner Kumble, whose ability to mix fast, flat deliveries with googlies makes him an awkward opponent, kept things tight in a spell of 10 overs for 36 runs.