India beat Ireland, secure top group spot

Hamilton, March 10, 2015: Guided by Shikhar Dhawan's dominating century, India's smooth eight-wicket victory over Ireland here on Tuesday ensured that the defending World Champions will finish at the top of Pool B. India, who had already qualified for the quarter-finals earlier, will now play the fourth-placed Pool A team in the last eight, which is likely to be Bangladesh. With the victory, India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni also achieved unique distinction of winning nine Cup matches on the trot, equalling the great Clive Lloyd of the West Indies. Only Australia's Ricky Ponting, with 24 wins, is ahead of them. Despite a brilliant start, Ireland were befuddled by spinners as some clever tactics from Dhoni helped India bowl out the Associate Member team for 259 at the Seddon Park. In reply, India had no problem chasing down the target as Dhawan scored his second hundred of the tournament, in only 84 balls, to guide the Asian team to its ninth consecutive Cup win with 13.1 overs to spare. Openers Rohit Sharma (64) and Dhawan exploited the inexperienced Irish bowlers to strike India's highest World Cup opening stand of 174 runs to more or less settle the matter for their side. The partnership completely took away the game from the Irish. While Rohit hit three boundaries and sixes each in his knock, Dhawan exemplified his form by stroking 11 boundaries and five sixes in his 85-ball 100. Vice-captain Virat Kohli (44 not out) and middle-order bat Ajinkya Rahane (33 not out) hardly broke a sweat to combine for an unbeaten 70-run third-wicket stand, helping India to their third successive victory over Ireland in as many meetings. Earlier, it was a mixed sort of innings from Ireland who got off to a blazing start via openers William Porterfield (67) and Paul Stirling (42). However, they stuttered against spinners and from what seemed as a likely 300-plus total at one point, Ireland collapsed to being all out in the 49th over. This is the first time ever that India have bowled out their opposition in five consecutive matches.