India hit the highest score in World Cups en route to a comfortable 257-run thrashing of Bermuda in Trinidad. 
Rahul Dravid's men smashed 413-5, which was also India's best score in one-day internationals, before bowling out the associate nation for just 156.
Virender Sehwag (114) and Sourav Ganguly (89) put on 202 to lay the bedrock for India's imposing score.
Glamorgan stalwart David Hemp then hit an admirable 76 not out for Bermuda as the last wicket fell in the 44th over.
The margin of victory gave India's net run rate a vital boost after their defeat to Bangladesh on Saturday had left them in peril of failing to qualify.
Sehwag, under severe pressure for his place in the starting line-up after a miserable run of form, hit 17 fours and three sixes from 87 balls faced.
Initially profiting from some rasping cuts and drives through the off-side, he then began middling some sweet straight drives before skying an easy catch.
Ganguly, who was not in prime form, fell 11 runs short of a World Cup record fifth century, stumped when going down the pitch to Delyone Borden.
Yuvraj Singh then smashed 83 off 46 balls and Sachin Tendulkar an unbeaten 57 off 29 as India raced past the previous World Cup best, Sri Lanka's 398-5 against Kenya in 1996.
It was hard work in the field for Bermuda, though Dwayne Leverock and Janeiro Tucker took wonderful diving catches to dismiss India's Robin Uthappa and Mahendra Dhoni respectively.
Leverock had little joy bowling, however, as he went for 1-96 off 10 overs.
India's score was their best one-day total and the fifth best in all one-day internationals. The margin of victory was the biggest recorded in all matches.
Five Bermuda batsmen were dismissed for ducks, while two others apart from Hemp scraped into double figures.
Ajit Agarkar and Anil Kumble each took three wickets after Zaheer Khan's pace and swing had done for the openers with just 18 on the board.
At 110-8, a 300-run loss was on the cards, but Leverock - always keen to grab some of the spotlight - gave Hemp sensible support in a stand of 44 for the ninth wicket.
Finally, Tendulkar's leg-spin did for Leverock and Kumble's googly trapped number 11 Malachi Jones plum in front.
