'India's ouster will be a financial catastrophe for World Cup'

Port of Spain, Mar 19 (UNI) It will be a financial catastrophe for the cricket world Cup if India fail to make it to the Super Eight league, according to Bermuda coach.

''The financial losses will be staggering, there is no doubt about that,'' admitted Gus Logie, former West Indies star and currently coach of Bermuda.

''Given India's fan following of India, and with Pakistan already out, financial implications can be phenomenal, there is no doubt about it,'' he added.

Logie was of the view that upsets were part of any big competitions. ''Well, we've known it all along that surprises do happen in the World Cup,'' he told newspersons at the Queen's park Oval here, adding ''it is a great results for the minnows -- Bangladesh and Ireland -- having beaten superpowers India and Pakistan.'' ''These results have given us a lot of confidence going into the next game against India tomorrow.

''I will ask my boys to be inspired by these results and will like to put pressure on India who are a bit low after the defeat against Bangladesh.

''These two results have provided us the inspiration, the players have seen the game themselves, each of them will be motivated when they come out against India.

''We've played Ireland and to see them skittle out Pakistan is inspiring,'' Logie added.

He asserted that it's India who would be more under pressure.

''They (India) have got to be,'' he said, but hastened to add that ''India are a very strong team, after one defeat they can not be taken lightly. I am not sure that they will have another poor day but we have to play our best.'' The coach said, ''We knew before we started that most of the established teams will be looking for records against us. And now India will be under pressure to record a big win, but we have to play our game.'' ''We know they (India) will come hard on us, because it is a question of their survival not ours. We are under no pressure, we'll be happy if the game lasts 100 overs whatever happens,'' the coach said.

UNI