New Delhi, March 24 (IANS) "It is time to take some harsh measures" said Indian cricket board chief Sarad Pawar reacting to the national team's exit right in the first-round from the World Cup in the West Indies.

Pawar, however, did not amplify on the when and the how of the harsh measures. His comment was as roundabout as is it gets for a seasoned politician like him.

"We are disappointed with the team's performance. It is time for some harsh measures," said Pawar, who is the chief of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and is also India's agriculture minister.

Considered title contenders before the 16-nation tournament started March 13, India lost two of the three group matches, to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, to crash out in the first round Friday.

The team lost to Sri Lanka without a fight in Port of Spain Friday to crash out. India's lone win came against minnows Bermuda.

Ironically, India's slimmest of slim chances of qualifying for the next round now depends only on Bermuda's win over Bangladesh in Port of Spain Sunday - a highly improbable and complicated equation.

Pawar said nothing new while listing the weak areas of the Indian team, led by Rahul Dravid, and containing three batsmen -- Sachin Tendulkar, Dravid and Sourav Ganguly -- with more than 10,000 runs in one-day cricket.

"Losing and winning happens in the game, but our performance against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka was not up to the mark, especially the batting and fielding," he said, referring to the defeats.

Ratnakar Shetty, chief administrative officer of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), said elsewhere that the players were responsible for the defeat as it is they who play the game, not officials.

"All facilities are given to the players. We had a good team, the bets that the selectors could select. If the team lose how many people will you blame?" he asked while speaking to a television channel.

When asked if Pawar should own moral responsibility and resign, Shetty, who is widely considered close to the Maratha politician as both occupy top posts in the Mumbai Cricket Association, said "It is not about individuals. The board will discuss the issue at its working committee meeting," he said.

Millions of Indian fans took to streets in various parts of the country Saturday, venting their anger at the team's spineless performances.

Railways minister Lalu Prasad, who was among the people who criticised the team, said that the players were "governed by money" and deserved to be "sacked".

"It's shameful to see such underperformance. They all should be sacked and fresh faces must get a chance to play for the country. The top order batsmen have really been playing poor cricket," said the man whose son is also an aspirant to play for India.

"Product endorsements and money are governing our players. Even villagers like me can play better than our team," Lalu told IANS on the sidelines of a function here.

On Friday, India lost to Sri Lanka by 69 runs in a crucial Group B match in Port of Spain to almost crash out of the World Cup.