India cruised to an eight-wicket win over Ireland to maintain their perfect record at the Cricket World Cup on Tuesday.
Shikhar Dhawan (100), Rohit Sharma (64) and Virat Kohli (44 not out) helped India to their target of 260 with 79 balls to spare at Seddon Park in Hamilton.
Ajinkya Rahane contributed with an unbeaten 33 as India – who had already booked their quarter-final place – sealed top spot in Pool A.
Ireland can still reach the last eight, but they are likely to need a win over Pakistan in Adelaide on Sunday.
Niall O'Brien (75) and William Porterfield (67) had helped Ireland make 259, but that target was well short of what was required.
Dhawan was given two lives – Porterfield and John Mooney dropped tough chances – and went on to put on a show.
The left-hander mixed his power with premeditation, blasting five sixes and 11 fours – including several lap shots.
Rohit chopped on with the score on 174 and Dhawan reached his century before giving away his wicket with a loose stroke.
Kohli and Rahane comfortably built on the platform that had been set to see India to their victory.
Earlier, Ireland had failed to capitalise on a strong start after winning the toss and electing to bat.
Porterfield and Paul Stirling (42) put on 89 for the first wicket before the latter fell to Ravichandran Ashwin (2-38).
It was MS Dhoni's decision to introduce spin – particularly Ashwin – that slowed Ireland down after a fast start.
Ireland were 57-0 after nine overs before spin came on and the scoring rate slowed down, with the wickets following.
O'Brien was the only middle-order batsman able to provide any resistance, despite the short boundaries and good batting pitch.
A total of 300 appeared to be the par, but Ireland mistimed their late hitting as paceman Mohammed Shami finished with 3-41.
They went from 206-3 in the 39th over to 238-9 little more than six overs later, failing to bat out their allotted 50 overs and falling well shy of the total they needed.
Dhawan and Sharma showcased just how they short Ireland were with some powerful hitting to set up India's commanding triumph.
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