India breeze past Irish
10 Jun 2009
India cruised to an eight-wicket victory over Ireland in Nottingham on Wednesday.
A wet outfield delayed the start of play and the match was eventually reduced to 18 overs a side. MS Dhoni won the toss and elected to put the Irish in to bat.
Zaheer Kahn made two earlier breakthroughs for the Indians and wickets continued to fall at regular intervals as India managed to stem the flow of runs. The men in green scored 22 runs from the last two overs to push them past the century mark.
Kahn was the chief destroyer with the ball, finishing with figures of 4-19 from his three overs while Pragyan Ojha also chipped in with a couple of useful wickets.
In reply, openers Gautam Gambhir and Rohit Sharma were thoroughly professional, taking their time and bringing up the 50 partnership in seven overs.
The partnership was eventually broken when Gambhir was caught by Boyd Rankin off the bowling of Regan West. Dhoni later fell for just 14, but in the end India, guided by Sharma (52*), strolled to a comfortable victory.
Ireland 112-8 (18 overs)
Andrew White 29, Zaheer Kahan 4-19 Pragyan Ojha 2-18.
India 113-2 (15.3 overs)
Gautam Gambhir 37, Rohit Sharma 52*.
India won by eight wickets.
For a full scorecard click here.
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