London: India's dramatic victory over England in the NatWest series final will have affected the home team's confidence and chances as it prepares for the World Cup in South Africa next year, a leading daily reported on Monday.

"There is little doubt that losing Saturday's NatWest series final to India will have dented the belief, confidence and chances of Nasser Hussain's England side as it works towards next year's World Cup in South Africa," The Independent said in a report.

However, the mental scarring sustained by the two-wicket defeat will be far easier to overcome than the physical loss caused by Graham Thorpe's decision to retire from One-day International cricket, the newspaper said.

Extras:
Match referee, ECB ignore Hussain's emotional gesture
Winning final will give steel, confidence: Eng media