Indian fans back Sri Lanka for World Cup win

MUMBAI: "Come cheer the Lankans as they take on the Kiwis. So what if India is not there?" read an advertisement in a popular Mumbai shopping mall where the cricket World Cup semi-final between Sri Lanka and New Zealand was being shown on a big screen.   

Come Saturday and cricket-crazy India, with a billion-plus population, will be cheering for the last sub-continent team left in the competition in the Caribbean.   

Sri Lanka, 1996 winners, beat New Zealand by 81 runs on Tuesday for a place in the final where they will take on either holders Australia or South Africa.   

Former champions India, touted as favourites back home by television channels and media outlets in the run-up to the event, bowed out in the group phase along with Pakistan and were followed by Bangladesh in the second round.   

Sri Lanka's spirited performances, however, have kept alive World Cup interest in India.   

"Being a sub-continental team I would be rooting for Sri Lanka as I identify with the players and it's close to us," Pankaj, a cricket fan in his twenties in New Delhi, said on Wednesday.   

"Also Sri Lanka always supports India in cricketing matters."   

Romit Sen, a teenager from New Delhi, said he was proud to see a sub-continent side in the last stages of the cup.   

"It's a matter of pride for us that a sub-continental team can give a fight to the so-called cricketing champions," he said.