India may have crashed out of the cricket World Cup in the West Indies even before reaching the Super Eight stage, but there is still something Indian left in cricket's showpiece event, at least in the Guyana leg of the second round.

When South Africa will take on Sri Lanka Wednesday at the brand new Guyana National Stadium at Providence near here, they will be playing on a facility that has been largely constructed with Indian help.

Inaugurated by Indian Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat during his official visit to Guyana in November last year, Guyana's new international cricket stadium, which will hold as many as half a dozen matches in the Super Eight stage, has been billed as the stadium of friendship between India and Guyana.

India gave the Guyanese government a grant of $6 million and a concessional line of credit of $19 million for the purpose.

The new facility was built by Mumbai-based firm Shapoorji Pallonji.

'Both in our country as well as yours, cricket is not just a game; it is indeed a passion with the people,' Shekhawat had said in his dedication speech at a two-hour function Nov 8 last year in the sparkling facility just near this Guyanese capital.

'Our partnership in the Providence Stadium (now renamed Guyana National Stadium) is, therefore, an appropriate reflection of our common passion for the game of cricket. We, in India, would certainly feel a special sense of pleasure and bonding when we catch the World Cup 2007 matches played in this stadium,' he had said.

And Guyana President Bharrat Jagdeo, a person of Indian origin, reciprocated: 'There can be no more a splendid symbol of friendship between India and Guyana than this magnificent edifice.'

The need for a new cricket stadium in Guyana was felt when the West Indies was awarded the 2007 cricket World Cup around nine years back.

Georgetown's other regular international ground, the Bourda Oval, which also happens to be the oldest cricket ground in the West Indies, had fallen out of favour of the International Cricket Council (ICC), which did not find the ground meeting the rigid standards set for World Cup infrastructure.

The last Test the Bourda hosted was between the West Indies and South Africa from March 31 to April 4 in 2005.

The new picturesque Guyana National Stadium is set on the east coast of the majestic Demerara river, which flows into the mighty Atlantic just a few miles away.

The new stadium seats over 10,720 spectators and accommodates another 4,280 on a grassy mound.

It also has parking facilities for up to 4,000 cars.

The wide area around the stadium has seen hotels sprouting up which are expected to boost Guyana's tourism industry.

The Bank of Guyana has also issued a special gold coin to mark the opening of the new stadium.