The 24th day of the ICC World Cup 2015 consists of a Pool B match. India plays against Ireland on Mar. 10. Here is a preview.

  • India Vs Ireland

History

India is the only team in Pool B to win all the matches it played so far. It tops the table with eight points from four matches. It has run rate of 2.246.

Ireland has also had an impressive World Cup run so far. It won three of its four matches so far with new run rate -0.820.

These two met only once in World Cups. William Porterfield was the highest scorer for Ireland in the 2011 match. He scored 75 not out as Ireland made 207 in 47.5 overs before getting bowled out.

It took India 46 overs and five wickets to chase Ireland’s score. Yuvraj Singh, who is not a part of India’s squad this time, made an unbeaten half century to win the match for his team.

India has already qualified for the quarter-finals. However, is still to be decided which team will play against the Asian giants in the quarter-finals.

Trivia

Curator Karl Johnson said that the match between India and Ireland should be a high scoring one. Hamilton is a small ground with a pitch which helps seam and swing bowlers. "We were instructed by the ICC to prepare good batting tracks with negligible seam movement and less turn,” Johnson said, “So far the ICC has been happy with how the pitch has played in the two matches.”

South Africa played against Zimbabwe in the same ground. A total of 616 runs were scored in the match.

India will create a record if it manages to secure a win against Ireland. This will be the first time in World Cups when a team will win nine straight matches. India’s winning run at World Cups started in 2011 against the West Indies.

Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni touched former captain Sourav Ganguly’s record when he won against the West Indies in the last match. Ganguly’s India won eight consecutive matches at the 2003 World Cups.

Players to Watch

Shikhar Dhawan, Mohammed Shami, William Porterfield & Craig Young

Venue

Seddon Park, Hamilton

Match Starts: 2 p.m. (local time)

Contact the writer: s.mukhopadhyay@IBTimes.com.au

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