A seven-star self-sufficient and fully furnished deluxe apartment is awaiting each of the Indian cricketers and their support staff should they bring along the World Cup with them.

"If the Indian cricket team emerges victorious in the World Cup 2003, each of its players, coach, physiotherapist and physical instructor will get a seven-star self-sufficient and fully furnished deluxe apartment in the 'World Champion Enclave' building at Amby Valley, Sahara Lake City," a statement from Sahara India Parivar said.

The total cost of the package promised for the Indian cricket team would be in excess of Rs 230 million, it said.

This will be a "humble token of appreciation towards their extraordinary feats that have brought unsurpassed glory to our nation and to further encourage them towards achieving greater heights of success for all time to come," the statement added.

Amby Valley, an initiative of the Sahara Group, sponsors the India cricket team.

The Indian team understands the importance of relaxing before a big game and on two occasions the team members have been given breaks of two days at a stretch to get away from cricket.

The Indians have religiously followed the practice of having no nets on the day after a match and there has not been any change in the plan even when they are faced with final now.

The Indian team was at complete liberty after the final league game against Pakistan and the third and last Super Six tie against New Zealand before re-focussing their attention on cricket.

The Indian cricketers also flock to a volleyball game before each practice session and coach John Wright says it has improved bonding within the team.

"All the boys look forward to a game of volleyball before the nets," said Wright. "Since the team enjoys it and it builds camaraderie, we hold it regularly."

New South African captain Graeme Smith has pledged to put passion and fire back into the national team after their dismal World Cup failure.

"I have to get everyone in the team working in one direction," said the 22-year-old who became the youngest captain in his country's history when he replaced Shaun Pollock.

Pollock was sacked after the Proteas failed to get beyond the World Cup first round.

"Maybe we need a bit of discipline in our cricket and maybe we need a bit of fun. But I am determined to bring back the passion and spark," Smith said.

Pollock was slammed for his tactics and alleged indecisiveness despite delivering the Test world championship during his time.

"One of my hardest jobs will be to get the guys to step up a gear. As a captain I have to have the ability to tap into any player," Smith added.

"With Jacques Kallis you have to make him bowl at 140kph because you know he can if he wants to."

As Sourav Ganguly's men prepare to take on Australia in Sunday's World Cup final, celebrities, along with hoi polloi, all smitten by the cricket bug, are gearing up to cheer the Indian team.

Appointments are being cancelled, work re-scheduled as politicians, painters, film personalities and singers wait with baited breath for the d-day hoping for a grand end to India's African safari.

Singing legend Manna Dey confided he would root for little genius Sachin Tendulkar with his family the moment the titan clash begins.

"I will egg on Sachin to counter Bret Lee's menace and soak in the match excitment. Pity he won't hear me," Dey said on Friday.

Asked if he would be postponing any programme to watch the match, Dey said "as you know I have to turn up at many places. But I cancel all engagements on crucial days like this Sunday."

Former Railway minister Mamata Banerjee said she would watch the game as India had figured in the final after such a long time.

"When India plays a final it has to be watched. But I'm not in favour of giving tailormade quotes," said the Trinamool Congress supremo.

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has sent a 'Good Luck Message' on a cricket bat to the Indian cricket team in South Africa.

The message, printed on a cricket bat and addressed to captain Sourav Ganguly and the team, was handed over  to Sports Minister Vikram Verma, who would be present at the World Cup final on Sunday.

While wishing the team good luck, the Prime Minister hoped India would emerge winner.

"Priya Sourav vah (and) Bharatiya team, World Cup mein Bharat vishwa vijayee ho, yashaswi ho aisi meri kaamna vah ishwar sey prarthna hai. (Dear Sourav and Indian Team, I wish and pray to God that India emerges victorious in the World Cup and win laurels)".

Verma later told reporters that the Prime Minister also handed over to him a letter wishing the team good luck.

Replying to questions, the Sports Minister exuded confidence that India would win the World Cup after 20 years but parried questions whether the ace batsman Sachin Tendulkar would be honoured with Bharat Ratna. It was for the Prime Minister and the Home Ministry to decide, he said.

"When the team returns home, they will be given a rousing reception in Delhi in the presence of the Prime Minister."

While the Sports Minstry will definitely give all encouragement to the team, the Finance Minister has already stated that the entire prize-money would be tax free, Verma added.

The West Bengal government has planned to set up a museum at Siliguri to showcase cricketing gear of skipper Sourav Ganguly.

The state government has also planned a grand reception in Ganguly's honour when he returns home "irrespective of the outcome of the final match," state minister for urban development Ashok Bhattacharya told reporters in Kolkata.

"We are planning to set up a museum at Siliguri to showcase some of the cricketing gear and kits used by Sourav," Bhattacharya, a keen fan of the Indian captain, said, adding he has already talked with Ganguly in this regard.

"I have sent him an SMS wishing very best of luck for the final. But, whatever be the result in the final, he deserves a grand reception from us," the minister said.

Meanwhile, the state government has erected 20 big screens in and around the city for people to watch the final.  Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattcharjee had also earlier talked to Ganguly in South Africa over phone.