Article: Humiliation---INDIA

INDIA HAVE been virtually knocked out of a World Cup many thought they would actually win, having slumped to a 69-run defeat against Sri Lanka. They are now left in the pathetic situation of praying that Bermuda - easily the worst team in the tournament - beat Bangladesh in the last game in this group on Sunday. The Indian batting crumbled inexplicably on a wicket that hid no gremlins - no one barring Dravid and Sehwag going past 20 - running to the ground in the process what had been a fine effort by the bowlers earlier in the day, restricting Lanka to 254. So what happens now? For those of you still not over- whelmed by disap- pointment or dis- belief, here's what you must hope for A Bermuda win, even by one run, against Bangla- desh, will mean In- dia will make it through to the Super Eights on net run rate (NRR). All three teams would end up with two points each, and India would go through since Bangladesh's NRR - following their massive loss to Sri Lanka on Wednesday - is much below India's. The numbers game is as follows: After three matches, India have 789 runs off 149.5 overs (run rate 5.26); they have conceded 602 runs in 148.3 overs (economy rate 4.059). Their NRR is, therefore, 1.20 Bangladesh's current NRR is -2.01. And a loss to Bermuda will not improve their NRR. That possibility is remote, though. Bermuda have played Bangladesh only once, late last month, when they made 205/8 in 50 overs, which Bangladesh over- hauled in 37.3 overs, losing just two wickets. But Bermuda must now do it - win, for the sake of India, and its billion-odd cricket fans.