So, a disappointing day for Ireland - but they're still in the hunt for a quarter-final place with one group game left, which is more than can be said for certain other teams. A final-day showdown with Pakistan in Adelaide awaits.
Next up, it's Sri Lanka (already through to the last eight) v Scotland (already eliminated) tomorrow in Hobart, with play starting at 03:30 GMT. We hope you'll join us from 03:00. Until then, thanks for your company and enjoy the rest of your day.
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And a reminder the way the quarter-finals work: co-hosts New Zealand and Australia are already assured of their venues, no matter where they finish in Pool A.
Contrary to what you may hear elsewhere, New Zealand will play their quarter-final in Wellington on 21 March, their opponent will be determined by where they finish. In the same way, Australia will play in Adelaide on 20 March (opponents to be determined). The other games will be in Sydney and Melbourne - one will feature Bangladesh, one Sri Lanka. The ICC will decide which.
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Jay: Wonder whether the Irish team management will be looking at the data...
Captain's view
More from Ireland captain William Porterfield: "It was a very good pitch and there wasn't a lot of help for the seamers. We just couldn't kick on like their opening pair did. Ashwin bowled very well. We just lost some wickets in that period. All in all I think we played very well.
"We have put in a lot of yards in the last few weeks. It is all about being fresh for that game [against Pakistan]. It is winner takes all so we need to mentally prepare and be ready. If you can't get up for these games you won't be up for any."
Captain's view
Ireland captain William Porterfield: "I don't think it can [knock Ireland's confidence]. There are a lot of good things to take. We were disappointed to come off having not capitalised on a good situation. You have to give credit to India and they way they came back."
Captain's view
More from India captain MS Dhoni: "We've been here four months, the guys put in a lot of effort in the Test series so I knew we had to step up the intensity from the one-day series, and all the boys have done that. We're a little jet-lagged after coming from Perth, the boys were a little sleep-deprived so that's another reason this game was important."
Captain's view
India captain MS Dhoni: "Our bowlers are really doing the job for us, they've stepped up - not just the three fast bowlers, the spinners are complimenting them and when we've used part-timers they've done well. After the first three or four overs, I already knew I could bring on the spinners. There was less pace in the pitch than the last few games, so I tried all three fast bowlers and then with all the left-handers in their side, Suresh Raina bowled well."
What do Ireland need?
So, from Ireland's perspective:
If they beat Pakistan, they will reach the quarter-finals.
If they tie with Pakistan, or it's a no-result because of weather, they will reach the quarter-finals (as will Pakistan)
If they lose to Pakistan, realistically (because of net run rate) they need to rely on West Indies to fail to beat the UAE in order to qualify.
Man of the match
Man of the match Shikhar Dhawan, who scored 100 for India: "I've spent lots of time here and sorted out my game. I am used to the bounce and the pace and enjoying my game. I have a game that suits these bouncy tracks. I enjoyed playing with greater creativity today.
"Everyone has spent lots of time here. I would like to thank the support staff and especially our skipper who have spent a lot of time working with the boys. It is lovely when we are on the field to see our bowlers bowling so consistently.
"The captain's message was to do the same things that we have been doing and with the same intensity."
Remaining fixtures
The all-important remaining Pool B fixtures are:
Thursday: South Africa v UAE
Saturday: India v Zimbabwe (let's be fair, that's a dead rubber)
Sunday: West Indies v UAE, Pakistan v Ireland
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Let's have a look at that Pool B table, then. India win the group with five wins from five games, then come South Africa, Pakistan and Ireland (in that order on net run rate), all on six points from five games. The remaining three quarter-final places are between that trio and West Indies, who have five from five. Zimbabwe and the UAE have been eliminated.
"If Pakistan bat against Ireland in the way they have played so far in the tournament, they won't score as freely as we have seen today. They will struggle more with the bat, though they may have got some confidence from that win over South Africa. and that may flow into their batting. I think Ireland will bowl better at Pakistan and won't be taken apart, But they have to cope with the Pakistan bowling, which be lively."
Final scorecard
India 260-2 from 36.5 overs (won by eight wickets)
Batsmen: Kohli 44, Rahane 33
Fall of wickets: 174-1 (Rohit 64). 190-2 (Dhawan 100)
The splendidly-moustached Shikhar Dhawan is presented with the man-of-the-match award by the still splendidly-moustached Kiwi legend Sir Richard Hadlee.
Post update
So, on paper, India were favourites - and on the field, I suspect it will be written into the annals of World Cup history as a fairly routine victory. While William Porterfield (67) and Niall O'Brien (75) had good knocks for Ireland, their bowlers rarely threatened against India's top order.
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Kalika Mehta
BBC Sport in Hamilton
"The Indian fans have streaked out of Seddon Park and on to the streets of Hamilton in jubilation. They expect a lot from their side and they're yet to be disappointed. As each match passes their cries of 'Jeetega India' are growing louder.
"Although significantly outnumbered the Irish fans too remained in good voice all day. Tonight they'll be looking to drown their sorrows in local favourite Shenanigans before their all important match against Pakistan."
Champagne moment
INDIA BEAT IRELAND BY EIGHT WICKETS AND WIN POOL B
Ind 260-2
O'Brien fires one as far outside as he dares, Kohli extends his bat but can't quite get to it. Next ball, he does connect with a fierce cover drive and India have won it with 13.1 overs to spare.
"It hasn't been what you call lively, with bowlers bowling 125-130kph, but there has been enough pace for batsmen to play all the shots, and it has been a fast outfield on a good seeing day. Ireland batted 30 of their 49 overs with enterprise, but they lost wickets at critical times and you can't do that against the better sides."
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Ind 256-2 (target 260)
Kevin O'Brien back on - can India win it this over? Kohli briefly endangers both bowler and umpire, clubbing the ball back past O'Brien - who wears a painful blow on the hand - and the umpire Dharmasena gets his legs out of the way like a hockey player looking to avoid a foul. Rahane rotates the strike to leave four needed.
Ind 254-2 (target 260)
Rahane has outscored Kohli in this partnership and looks like he could catch his partner up here, delicately dabbing Cusack for four wide of third man. The maths mean a half-century is unlikely for either batsman here - but Kohli has the TMS commentators purring with a powerful square cut for four and a quick single which leave just six more runs needed for victory.
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Tom in London: Even England would be slight favourites to win from here.
Steady on, Tom...
Ind 242-2 (Kohli 33*, Rahane 27*)
There are smiles all round, with both the batsmen and the infielders seemingly content in the knowledge that this result is a foregone conclusion. Kohli and the reprieved Rahane add a couple of singles while Mooney attempts a yorker which Rahane digs out - and it flies off the edge, low on his bat, for four. Not Mooney's - or Ireland's - night. That's also the fifty stand.
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Kalika Mehta
BBC Sport in Hamilton
"There are times when you can't hear what the person next to you is say because the sheer amount of cheering and general noise the Indian fans are making.
"11,002 people are packed in Seddon Park - which usually has a capacity of 10,000 - and the 95% or so Indian fans all brought to their feet by burst of "Jai Ho" from the Bollywood film of the same name. Although they honestly don't need much. As the big screen tells them only 24 more runs are needed a conga line is started up along all three banks."
Not out
Ind 236-2
It's "umpire's call", both for impact and clipping the top of the bails, so umpire Dharmasena's decision is upheld and he gives Mooney a consolatory pat on the shoulder as he walks back to his mark.
Umpire review
Ind 236-2
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Mooney yells an lbw appeal against Rahane, both tattooed arms in the air, as he tries to flick the seamer across the line. Umpire Dharmasena is unmoved, but Ireland want a review...
"There is a possibility that South Africa could finish third in this group and play Australia. It is forecast to rain in the match between South Africa and the UAE in Wellington on Thursday. If South Africa get one point they go to seven points, and if Pakistan beat Ireland, they will go to eight points."
Powerplay
Ind 236-2 (target 260)
Umpire Richard Kettleborough (who, given he's been ICC umpire of the year for the last two years, may fancy his chances of standing in the final now England are out), signals the batting powerplay which India have decided to take a couple of overs before they're obliged to do so.
Ireland turn back to seamer Alex Cusack, but with only three men permitted outside the circle, Kohli finds a gap to thread a four through the covers, while four straightforward singles mean India need 24 from 36 balls.
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Ilyas Najib: As a Pakistani it's the second game in a row I've backed the Indians, NRR will play a part in qualification in this group.
Drinks break
Ind 228-2 (Kohli 26*, Rahane 20*)
Bryan Waddle and Ebony Rainford-Brent on TMS lament the lack of a genuine pace bowler in the Irish ranks - I wonder if Boyd Rankin might seek to requalify for Ireland (in the manner of Ed Joyce) if he's overlooked for England for much longer, having been in the wilderness for 14 months since his last appearance. Rahane helps himself to another four, and the players have earned a drinks break with only 32 more needed.
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Prayags: This match is going to finish too soon. Do not know what to do with rest of the day with boss out of office today.
Ind 224-2 (target 260)
Ireland turn back to opening bowler John Mooney - now sans his lime-green headband - and the bearded right-arm seamer opens with a ropey wide. Keeper Gary Wilson is standing up to the stumps, and there's a slip in, but Rahane reaches well to unleash a cover-driven four which bisects two infielders and two boundary riders alike. An attempted legside stumping is called as another wide, it's really not Ireland's day.
"Ireland have showcased their cricket by beating a couple of the bigger nations, Zimbabwe and the West Indies, in this World Cup. They chased down the West Indies score with ease in the first match. They haven't done themselves any disservice and they will still hold out hope for that last game against Pakistan."
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Ind 218-2 (Kohli 26*, Rahane 12*)
The leprechauns and other green-clad Blarney Army fans in Seddon Park are putting a brave face on this game, dancing around the stands, but the party's already started for the Indian contingent who have unveiled a huge "Bharat Army" flag. Rahane late-cuts, this time there's no Thompson to cut it off at third man... because he's bowling. Andy Balbirnie can't quite get there, losing his sunglasses as he dives towards the rope in vain, and the target is down to 42 from 108 balls.
"Kevin O'Brien has been one of the most expensive bowlers in the tournament with his economy rate. But today he has put the ball in good areas, hit the pitch quite hard, hitting the top of off stump."
Ind 210-2 (target 260)
Kohli has all the time in the world to late-cut Kevin O'Brien down to third man, where Thompson stretches every sinew to cut the ball off and restrict Kohli for two - earning him a little clap from the bowler. O'Brien is then indebted to brother Niall who is Ireland's boundary fox at deep cover. But there's nothing the O'Brien family - or anyone else - can do as Rahane easily knocks a four back past the non-striker. 50 more needed.
"India are very much hand-eye players who can bat through the line on true surfaces. If you stack one side of the field, they are just as likely to move across the stumps and whip you that side anyway."
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Scorecard update
India 203-2 from 30 overs (target 260)
Batsmen: Kohli 21, Rahane 2
Fall of wickets: 174-1 (Rohit 64). 190-2 (Dhawan 100)
Kohli is in no mood to hang around here and finds easy pickings against young Thompson, punching a four back past the bowler to bring up India's 200 and helping himself to ones and twos.
A win today would confirm India as winners of Pool B, earning them a quarter-final against the fourth-placed Pool A team - which, on the balance of probabilities, one would expect to be Bangladesh (that's assuming Australia Sri Lanka both beat Scotland, and Bangladesh find things a little less straightforward against New Zealand).
"India are looking unruffled. There is no swing or seam movement so it is tough going for the Ireland bowlers. I think India will try to wrap this up in the next seven or eight overs."
Ind 196-2 (Kohli 14*, Rahane 2*)
Kevin O'Brien into his fifth over, India are still helping themselves to quick singles - Kohli pokes the ball into the covers and Rahane has to pull out the full-length dive to make his ground at the striker's end. Five singles from the over leave India needing 64 from 21 overs - or, should you prefer, 126 balls.
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Jack Tanner: It's hard to believe these are the same England and India teams that played each other in Brisbane two months ago.
Ind 191-2 (target 260)
Ajinkya Rahane is the new batsman. Thompson, having gone round the park for 18 in his first over, now has 2-30 from four overs.
"Thompson's not express pace and you felt for him coming in today against international batsmen. He got the treatment early doors, but he has come back. I hope he can put a decent spell together on his World Cup debut."
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WICKET
Dhawan c Porterfield b Thompson 100 (Ind 190-2)
APCopyright: AP
Dhawan finally falls trying to hit Thompson over the top, skying the ball over the covers where he's pouched by skipper Porterfield running back. Kohli had just shown him how it's done, hoisting the World Cup debutant over long-on for six earlier in the over.
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Ian Dobson: Ireland must be thrilled to finally get a wicket. Then devastation as Virat Kohli is next down the ramp..
"Dhawan has been in great form in this tournament. He has played so fluently, has really kicked in and looked really good. There was long time where he didn't kick in to his role as a batsman, and he talked the other day about how much it meant to get a hundred. He felt he had been battling for while."
Dhawan 100
Ind 183-1 (target 260)
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Shikhar Dhawan inches towards an eighth ODI century by tapping a two and flicking a single off his legs to bring up the landmark from 84 balls, removing his helmet to take the applause of the flag-waving Indian fans who have taken over Seddon Park today.
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Sean Devilly: Delighted for Stuart Thompson. Has a lot of potential, just needs to start putting in big performances to show why Phil Simmons has backed him so often.
"Thompson has kept the ball outside the off stump, at about maybe 120kph, just angling the ball back into the stumps. He is just trying to bowl to his field, that arc of fielders around the offside. He got the wicket - and that will be important as far as his confidence is concerned."
Ind 178-1 (Dhawan 97*, Kohli 1*)
Thanks, Phil. Morning, everyone - I hope you Ireland fans out there aren't crying into your cornflakes too much. It rather looks like this match is going one way... but you never know. That's why we follow cricket, isn't it?
It looks like an increasingly cold evening in Hamilton - the umpires have called for their heavier coats - and umpire Richard Kettleborough has the chance to stretch his arms inside his big red jerkin by calling Stuart Thompson for a wide. Kohli is off the mark with a single.
Ind 175-1 (Target 260)
The wicket has just brought around a small check in India's progress. Kohli has started patiently and blocks out O'Brien after Dhawan has moved to 97 with a single. I now hand you over to Mr Mark Mitchener, who will see you through to the close.
"There was delicacy and panache from Rohit in that innings - he's a lovely player who makes stroke-making look quite simple, I think. There is an authority and composure about his batting."
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Ind 174-1
The good news for Ireland is that they have a wicket. The bad news is that it brings Virat Kohli to the crease. Just the 6,451 ODI runs to his name at 52.02. Thompson keeps it tight, though, and finishes a good second over without conceding any further runs.
"Thompson, hand in the air Alan Shearer-style, celebrates the wicket!"
WICKET
Rohit b Thompson 64 (Ind 174-1)
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
This is good to see. It probably won't change anything fundamentally but it is good for Thompson to come back and claim a morale-boosting wicket after his first over in the World Cup went for 18. It is a good length and Rohit looks to steer it down to third man but succeeds only in chopping it on to his own stumps.
"Ireland so far in this World Cup have been pretty good in two of the three disciplines, the batting and the fielding. The fielding in particular has been exceptional for some time now. But in the bowling department, they are just not up to the standard required."
Ind 172-0 (Rohit 62, Dhawan 96)
Dhawan is charging towards a century here. He drops to one knee to ramp/flick a ball from Kevin O'Brien down to the fine leg boundary for four. Another boundary follows from the same player from the last ball, which is whipped through mid-wicket.
Ind 162-0 (98 required off 28 overs)
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Niall O'Brien prevents another boundary off Dockrell by sprinting round to flick a lofted drive to extra cover crossing the rope. The respite lasts just one ball, though, as Dhawan hammers one (resulting in him brandishing his bat in one hand like a wand) over mid-on for six.
"George Dockrell comes over the top quite nicely as a left-arm orthodox, gets the ball to turn the ball a little, and he has an impressive arm ball back into the right-hander. He has suffered a little today, but he has looked the most likely to pick up wickets."
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Ind 152-0 (Rohit 60, Dhawan 78)
Kevin O'Brien was expensive in the game against Zimbabwe, going for 90 runs. And he carries on where he left off as Dhawan plants him over the rope near the backward square-leg boundary. The bowler comes back well, though, with some good line and length to concede just two more runs.
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Arjun Thayat: Has BCCI asked India to beat the daylights out of Ireland so they wouldn't dare question the ICC (another the version of BCCI) again?
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Irish cricket journalist Ger Siggins: This is the first time Ireland have ever conceded a century opening partnership in World Cups.
Ind 144-0 (Target 260)
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The simple truth is that if you hit a ball on this ground there is a very good chance you'll get a six for your troubles. Dhawan is capitalising on the short boundaries by claiming maximums seemingly at will. He plants Dockrell into the stand over mid-wicket for his third six and the sixth of the innings. The over goes for 10 to make this India's third-highest opening partnership at a World Cup.
50 for Rohit
Ind 134-0
Rohit joins Dhawan with his half-century, brought up by a booming lofted drive over extra cover for six. India are walking this. These two have barely broken sweat.
"Growing the game is important - we have 10 sides throughout the entire world, and maybe Bangladesh, Zimbabwe and the West Indies have not looked great in recent times. Ten becomes seven and that is not enough - we need to grow the game, bring the sides below that seven into the set up."
Ind 125-0 (Rohit 48, Dhawan 63)
Ireland have had a quick regroup during a drinks break. What ideas they might have come up with to try and break this partnership is anyone's guess? Porterfield sticks with Cusack, who Dhawan tries to ramp over Wilson first ball but plants the ball straight into the keeper's helmet. Thankfully, he is OK (barring a quick rearranging of his lid) and the rest of the over goes for four untroubled singles.
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Kalika Mehta
BBC Sport in Hamilton
APCopyright: AP
"The India fans surrounding the longest boundary have not stopped cheering, whistling, drumming and generally creating a lot of noise for the past hour and Dhawan and Sharma are rewarding them by launching the ball in their direction.
"A burst of Eddy Grant's 'Electric Avenue' is played over the Tannoy. There isn't an Electric Avenue in Hamilton but there are a fair few Irish pubs where a lot of the Irish crowd are making plans to head to after the match. They're up for a party no matter the result."
Dhawan clips Dockrell into the leg side for a single and as easy as that Dhawan has a half-century, from 54 balls. He celebrates later in the over with a big hit over wide mid-on for six and then a flick down to fine leg for four. It is difficult to see where a wicket is coming from here.
Ind 107-0
Cusack returns but the Indian openers' untroubled run-accumulation continues courtesy of three singles and a leg-bye. There is a feeling of resignation about the Ireland display now. They could really do with a wicket to lift their spirits.
Ind 103-0 (Dhawan 47, Rohit 43)
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A single off Stirling's first ball brings up the 100 partnership, at a run-rate of just over seven an over. And the singles keep coming. With every one Ireland will further regret those dropped early catches.
Ind 99-0 (Target 260)
These two are starting to take the mickey now. Dhawan stabs a sweep shot through backward point for four and then, later in the over, cuts another boundary. In between, a loose ball from Dockrell beats bat and keeper and runs away for four byes.
Ind 86-0
The India batsmen are utterly untroubled at the moment. They are picking up singles with the minimum of fuss and taking any lose ball to the cleaners. Rohit rocks back to cut a short, wide one from Stirling through backward point for four.
Ind 78-0 (Target 260)
Dockrell's second over is better than his first, again due to a fuller length. He concedes two runs from his first ball - through a Sharma dab to third man - but goes for just two more from the other five balls. Unfortunately for Ireland, they need much more than tight overs.
Ind 74-0
Another bowling change sees more spin, courtesy of Paul Sterling. He brings a big improvement on the previous over, pitching the ball must fuller to keep India to just the one run. He also chances an lbw appeal as Dhawan looks to reverse-sweep but the umpire is quick to turn him down.
"These boundaries are short so you've got be on the money against batsmen of this class. The minute Dockrell dropped the ball short Rohit Sharma pounced. You just sense India are going to cruise away with this by playing sensibly and hitting the bad ball to the boundary."
Ind 73-0 (Rohit 33, Dhawan 30)
Porterfield does make a decision, by bringing Dockrell's spin into play. It doesn't halt India's momentum, though, as Rohit smashes a short ball over the mid-wicket boundary for six. Too short. This has been Ireland's major failing with the ball so far. A subsequent single takes Rohit to 4,000 ODI runs - the 14th Indian player to reach this figure. This has been some of the easiest 33 runs he has ever scored.
"It's a big match for a 24-year-old to come in against the current world champions. India are going along nicely and will look to target someone like him and put the pressure on him. It will be a measure of him to see how he comes back. He needs to get the ball up a bit fuller."
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David in Spain: Don't like to say so at this early stage, but two points to India, I think. Can't see it any other way, unless the "cricket's a funny old game" cliche comes home to roost.
Ind 62-0
The newly-included Stuart Thompson is brought into the attack and starts very nervously. He starts with a wide before Dhawan latches on to a short ball and pulls him over the rope at deep square leg for six and then pulls another ball straighter past mid-on for four. Two further wides follow, including one that is so far to Wilson's left that it beats the keeper's dive and runs away for five. Porterfield has some decisions to make now.
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Kalika Mehta
BBC Sport in Hamilton
"Seddon Park is a small ground and as a relatively calm Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane and Ravi Jadeja sit at the boundary edge watching the on field proceedings a pocket of Indian fans, separated by just a small white-picket fence, scream in adulation at their heroes. Some of them look like they may burst from the excitement."
Ind 44-0 (Target 260)
The floodgates are opening now. Dhawan takes the game to Ireland with successive boundaries off Cusack's first two balls, both from drives into the off side. With the requisite damage done, Dhawan then pats away the rest of the over with ease.
Dropped catch
Ind 36-0 (Rohit 23, Dhawan 11)
APCopyright: AP
Another catch goes down, again off Mooney. This time, though, it is the captain Will Porterfield, who claimed that match-winning catch against Zimbabwe, but cannot hold on to a chance at point offered to him by a slice from Dhawan. It required a dive and would have been a great snare, but goes down as a missed opportunity nonetheless. To compound Mooney's woe, Rohit ends the over with a drive through cover for four and a straight six over long-off.
Ind 23-0
As an indicator of the Irish openers lack of pace, keeper Wilson is standing up to Cusack. What he lacks in pace, though, Cusack makes up for in accuracy. His third over is a good one that goes for just one run. The Indian batsman remain unruffled.
Ind 22-0 (Rohit 11, Dhawan 10)
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
Mooney continues but he is struggling to find a consistent rhythm. The India openers are able to comfortably work the ball around for a couple of singles before Dhawan times a drive to send the ball flying skidding past the field and out to the extra cover boundary. All too easy for India.
Ind 16-0 (Target 260)
Rohit has not been in the best form this tournament but he is a class act, which he proves with an on drive that sends the ball flying back past Cusack and down to the boundary. Beautiful shot. They are the only runs from the over.
Dropped catch
Ind 12-0
Mooney goes all 70s tennis star on us by donning his lime headband. His first ball doesn't go top plan, though, as he drops shot and is dispatched to the mid-wicket boundary by a powerful pull from Dhawan. The headband is off after his final ball, possibly in disgust at him dropping a catch off his own bowling as Dhawan smashes it straight back at him. That would have been a huge boost for Ireland had it stuck.
Ire 8-0 (Dhawan 1, Rohit 6)
Dhawan gets off the mark with a flick to work a straight Cusack delivery to leg. Then Rohit leans into an on-drive and works the ball away for a couple of runs. A calm start from India.
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Ind 5-0 (Target 260)
John Mooney is first up with the ball for Ireland from the Member's End. He is very wide in the crease in his final stride, which angles the ball into the right-handed Sharma and ties him up before a wide gives India their first run and a back-foot punch into off for four gets the batsman off the mark.
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And we're back. The Irish players huddle together for some words of encouragement. They have 259 runs on the board. Will it be enough? Out come Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dahwan, who will give us our first indication...
"Ireland will be very disappointed having started so well. Two key batsmen got scores but didn't go on. The key point is that India bowled well, especially after the first 10 overs.
"The spinners got through their overs well and Ashwin showed his class with a bit of variation and then the pace bowlers came back in and got among the wickets to leave Ireland under pressure. You would expect India's big guns to come out now and knock the runs off."
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India spinner Ravi Ashwin: "I thought they batted well at the start and we had to bowl well to get a couple of wickets and get back in the game. That is what happened. There is the odd ball that is stopping but the pitch is pretty flat.
"It was more about pace and that is something I made a conscious effort with to slow it down and bowl my arm ball. I knew they would come at me because of the restrictions but my plan was to keep them coming and to bowl well.
"All these ICC tournaments are about momentum and if we can round that off with a good batting display that will be good."
End-of-innings scorecard
Ireland 259 all out from 49 overs (Ireland won toss)
Cusack slices a four through backward point off Shami's first ball but the bowler gets his revenge on the last as an attempted ramp shot plants the ball straight into the hands of Yadav at third man. It represents a disappointing end to what was a promising innings. You never know in cricket, but I would be amazed if that score is enough for victory here. India should walk it.
World Cup: 235 - Zimbabwe at Tunbridge Wells in 1983 and 235-7 Kenya at Bristol in 1999
All ODIs: 265-5 - Kenya at Gwalior in 1998
Ire 253-9 (Mooney 11, Cusack 6)
Ireland reach 250 as Cusack and Mooney pilfer a few singles from Mohit. The innings is ending in a whimper, when at one point it looked as though they could have been pushing towards and past 300. Credit to Dhoni and his side, who hit back hard to Ireland's impressive start.
Ire 247-9
Shami looks to wrap things up for India but the Ireland pair survive and add three to the total to take their team close to the 250 mark, which would represent a minor psychological victory if nothing else.
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Karen Lynch: India peaking when it matters..tri series was just a practice to iron out any problems.
Ire 243-9 (Cusack 1, Mooney 8)
Alex Cusack is the last man for Ireland and he gets off the mark with a single to leg. Mooney gives the Irish fans something to cheer by driving Yadav through backward point for four.
WICKET
Dockrell c Dhoni b Yadav 6 (238-9)
After Mooney adds three runs to the Ireland total with a couple of pull shots, an ugly swing from Dockrell gives Yadav his first wicket of the day courtesy of an edge to Dhoni.
Ire 234-8 (Run-rate 5.20)
Dockrell has no answer for Shami, who fires one past the outside edge before forcing the tail-ender to take evasive action to avoid a nasty short ball. Mooney's single from the first ball is the only run from the over.
Six - Ire 233-8 (Mooney 0, Dockrell 6)
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Ireland will take all the runs they can get now, including a very welcome six down the ground by Dockrell off Jadeja. It is the only scoring strike from the over.
Ire 227-8
Mooney is joined by George Dockrell but he can only watch from the non-striker's end as Shami ties the big man down with some tight bowling. Ireland will do well to see out the 50 overs now.
"Unfortunately another wicket falls and the momentum has gone for Ireland. They need to take it a lot deeper before thinking about being too aggressive. With only two wickets in hand they have to be sensible to bat out the overs whereas India will be aggressive now. It's amazing to see India's turnaround since the tri-series."
WICKET
Thompson run out 2 (Ire 227-8)
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Ireland are sinking now. John Mooney is the new man and he prods his third ball to leg, which prompts Thompson to set off before being sent back and left well short with his dive as Kohli's throw clatters the stumps at the non-striker's end. The last five wickets have fallen for 21 runs.
"An excellent knock from Niall O'Brien but he will be disappointed. He's given his side a chance by providing a platform but the rest of the guys have a lot to do. If they can bat out these final overs they should set a decent target. India's opening partnership has not fired yet so you never know."
WICKET
N O'Brien c Yadav b Shami 75 (Ire 226-7)
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Huge disappointment for O'Brien and Ireland as he looks to flick a Shami ball to leg and is comfortably caught by Yadav at square leg. The wickets are tumbling now and Ireland are in danger of crumbling below 250.
On Twitter: Cheerio Adelaide. When you see me again on Saturday I'll be reinvented as an Irishman…
Ire 226-6
Stuart Thompson - who was brought into the side in place of McBrine today - is next to try and provide the support Niall O'Brien needs to kick Ireland on. He helps rotate the strike as four more singles are added to the total.
"The responsibility for the players coming in is to give Niall O'Brien the strike. He's the one looking to play shots. They need to do that without taking any silly risks."
WICKET
Wilson c Rahane b Jadeja 6 (Ire 222-6)
Double Nelson strikes for Ireland as Wilson top-edges trying to sweep Jadeja and is caught by Rahane at short fine leg.
On Twitter: The man who signs off @Irelandcricket team sheet is soon to sign off after three World Cups. Roy is with us during the interval.
Ire 222-5 (Wilson 6, O'Brien 73)
Niall O'Brien is doing a superb job for Ireland. Yadav didn't have a lot of joy in his two-over spell at the start of the innings and he is welcomed back with a straight six of his third ball as part of an over that goes for 10.
Scorecard update
Ireland 212-5 from 40 overs (Ireland won toss)
Batsmen: N O'Brien 65, Wilson 4
Fall of wickets: 89-1 (Stirling 42), 92-2 (Joyce 2), 145-3 (Porterfield 67), 206-4 (Balbirnie 24), 208-5 (K O'Brien 1)
Gary Wilson comes in and starts well with a boundary from his first ball, driven superbly to the cover boundary. That is the end of the powerplay and Ireland have 10 overs to push on to that magical 300 mark, that is surely the minimum requirement here.
"Just a shame Kevin O'Brien couldn't get started because we know how well he can hit. Important that Ireland put together a partnership now. If they can get another 100 they will have something to bowl at."
WICKET
Kevin O'Brien c Dhoni b Shami 1 (208-5)
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Kevin O'Brien goes before the fireworks can start. It is a great ball from Shami, just short of length, which Kevin drives at and edges to Dhoni. That is an important wicket for India. He could have been vital in getting Ireland towards 300.
"Just a question now of is that too many wickets? And how will Kevin O'Brien go? He is the key man to try to get this total over 300.
"The threat of Ashwin, the pick of the spinners, is gone. He was getting turn but the others aren't."
WICKET
Balbirnie c Shami b Ashwin 24 (Ire 206-4)
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Balbirnie goes for Ashwin and succeeds, claiming two boundaries, before the bowler hits back decisively, drawing a top-edge from a sweep that spoons the ball up to Shami at short fine leg. Here comes the other O'Brien, Kevin. We all know what he can do.
Post update
Kalika Mehta
BBC Sport in Hamilton
"The small pockets of Ireland fans are enjoying chanting 'England's going home' to the tune of 'Football's coming home'.
"Niall O'Brien's half-century is giving the Irish fans plenty to cheer about and many of the supporters have said they are eyeing a quarter-final berth to 'give them an extra reason to celebrate St Patrick's Day', apparently. St Paddy's, on March 17th, is a rather big deal in these parts."
"Niall O'Brien realises he's got away with one there with that six. There was a huge smile on his face. The difference there was the intent. He was looking to go for it and gave himself room and even though he didn't get hold of it, he got enough on it."
Ire 194-3 (Run-rate 5.10)
O'Brien swipes another six, which he plants towards cow corner. He gets lucky as the ball goes through the hands of a fielder in the deep. Balbirnie also gets his slice of luck as he tries to sweep aggressively and gets a top-edge over the keeper for four. Jadeja goes for 13.
Six - Ire 181-3
India use their review unsuccessfully to try and overturn a not out decision against Balbirnie, who tried to sweep the returning Ashwin and flicked the ball up to a fielder, but off his arm, not his bat. O'Brien makes the most of the final ball of the over by dancing down and hitting down the ground for six.
Ire 173-3 (O'Brien 46, Balbirnie 10)
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Jadeja is back in the attack as the powerplay begins and he does well to keep Ireland to just two runs. Ireland need to show greater intent, especially with only three men in the deep with the restrictions.
Ire 171-3
India have been decent in the field today and they cause Ireland a few nervous moments with a direct throw on the stumps at the non-striker's end by Mohit to try and run out O'Brien. he was well home, though, as the replay confirms. Raina's final over goes for three runs and he finishes with 10-0-40-1.
Ire 166-3 (Run-rate 4.93)
Ireland are building some momentum now. Balbirnie contributes to this with a drive through cover for four off Mohit. O'Brien then takes over with a pull from a short ball that hits the gap and rockets to the fence. The bowler then chucks in a wide down leg for good measure. This is a pleasing change of gear for Ireland ahead of the powerplay.
Ire 156-3
The 150 is up for Ireland courtesy of a superbly-timed sweep from O'Brien who does little more than steer the ball from Raina but does enough to beat the fielder. After a couple of singles (one of which gets Balbirnie off the mark), O'Brien repeats his sweep trick to loft one down to the same boundary for another four.
Ire 146-3 (O'Brien 30, Balbirnie 0)
Balbirnie is the new man. He fell just three runs short of a century in that superb game against Zimbabwe. What can he do here? He is given a couple of testing deliveries at the end of Mohit's over but survives them.
"The spinners have done an excellent job in restricting Ireland and the batsmen thought there was a chance to get the momentum going again with the return of a seam bowler. Disappointment for Porterfield because he was going so well and now someone will have to stick in and make a good 50/70 to take this game to India."
WICKET
Porterfield c Yadav b Mohit 67 (Ire 145-3)
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Porterfield had done all the hard work by surviving the spinners but he falls as soon as Mohit Sharma returns with a leading edge off an attempted steer to leg that flicks the ball up for the simplest of catches for Yadav. It is a good innings from the Ireland captain. Now can the bigger hitters kick their team on?
144-2 (O'Brien 28, Porterfield 67)
Raina causes Porterfield some problems as one kicks on and almost beats the batsman's defence before sneaking one under the bat next ball as the skipper advanced down the track. After a single, O'Brien survives an lbw call after he stepped across to try and steer the ball to leg. Ireland will still be happy with this. It is tough going but they have batsmen in the tent for a charge.
Scorecard update
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Ireland 142-2 from 30 overs (Ireland won toss)
Batsmen: Porterfield 66 from 88 (five fours, one six), O'Brien 27 from 42
Fall of wickets: 89-1 (Stirling 42), 92-2 (Joyce 2)
This is much better from O'Brien, who uses his first to superb effect to claim successive boundaries at the start of Rohit's latest over. He hits the first aerially towards cow corner and the second over extra cover. Four singles follow to complete an excellent over for Ireland - the first you could say they have won in a while.
"India are fired up here in the field and the bowlers are really keen to get through these overs quickly to make sure Ireland don't have any time to think about their batting."
130-2 (O'Brien 17, Porterfield 64)
Ireland are back in the boundary game as Porterfield plants his front foot and hammers one from Raina over extra cover for four. The bowler responds well with some cunning deliveries, one of which that kicks on and ties up the Irish skipper.
Ire 126-2
Porterfield's strike-rate was around 100 earlier in the innings. He has slowed down markedly since the Indian spinners entered the fray. He now has 60 from 80 balls. It is a binary innings now. All 0s and 1s.
Ire 122-2 (Run-rate 4.51)
Ireland are going to have to do something soon to increase their scoring rate here. It is not a big ground and India will not be daunted by a total below 300. Raina keeps up the pressure with another neat over that restricts Ireland to four singles.
Ire 118-2
Another bowling change but India are sticking with the spin, courtesy of Rohit Sharma. He starts loosely with a full toss that Porterfield sweeps away for two but tightens up and keeps the Irish pair to singles.
Ire 113-2 (Porterfield 52, O'Brien 12)
Ashwin is absolutely rattling through his overs. He has bowled eight now in no time. And every one has been a challenge for Ireland, particularly with that arm ball that darts in to the batsman. Porterfield and O'Brien survive, though, and claim three more runs.
50 for Porterfield
Ire 110-2
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If they are not going to find the boundary (and India are making sure this is a rarity), Ireland need to rotate the strike. They do just that to claim five singles off Raina, one of which brings Porterfield to what has been a very impressive half-century.
"Niall O'Brien is having to work pretty hard to get the spinners away. Ashwin is causing him problems with his variations and he has to get the strike back to his captain. He can't afford to take up three or four deliveries but has to rotate the strike."
106-2
Ireland are looking to be more proactive as Porterfield prods one to off and pushes for a quick single, which becomes two courtesy of wayward throw from an India fielder. Barring that, it is another testing over from Ashwin.
Ire 103-2
Niall O'Brien decides he's had enough of the conservatism and has a little dance down the wicket to Raina. His bravery is rewarded with a bit of luck as he slices it over the skips and away for the first boundary in eight overs. It takes Ireland to three figures.
Ire 97-2 (O'Brien 2, Porterfield 47)
Lots of noise from the Indian fielders, who know they are firmly on top now. Ashwin speeds through his sixth over for the concession of just the one run. He has 1-14 from this spell.
Ire 96-2
Another cracker of an over, this time from Raina, going for just three runs. There is an awful lot of pressure on the Ireland batsmen now, after they looked very comfortable and free-flowing during the first seven or eight overs.
Ire 93-2
Ireland are in survival mode. O'Brien is again forced to be reactive against the superb spin of Ashwin, who bowls the first maiden of the innings, which included an absolute belter of a ball that beats the outside edge of the bat. Too good. Porterfield is an observer.
"In the last two or three overs Raina has not found any spin but has bowled it quite flat and skiddy, and India will feel they have found a way to put pressure on new batsmen when they come in.
"Should the batsmen use their feet and use the straight bat or should they use the sweep shot? The batsmen haven't found a solution yet and it's probably one they haven't faced much in this type of pressure situation."
Ire 93-2 (Niall O'Brien 1, Porterfield 43)
Niall O'Brien is the new Ireland batsman and he gets off the mark with a drive to cover. It is the only run of another very effective over of spin from India, who appear to have found an effective recipe for success here.
WICKET
Joyce b Raina 2 (Ire 92-2)
Oh dear. One brings two as Joyce looks to be proactive with a cut off Raina but does not account for the arm ball which kicks on and takes out middle stump. The spinners are wrestling control of this away from the Irish.
Post update
Kalika Mehta
BBC Sport
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"The DJ plays a blast of 'Sunny Sunny (Aj Blue He Pani Pani)' by Yo Yo Honey Singh to get the masses on the banks up and dancing.
"Stirling's departure brings about the first loud cheer and excitable flag waving from the Indian supporters, in an otherwise slightly more sedate period of the match following the early fireworks from the Irish batsmen."
Ire 92-1
This spin assault has checked the Ireland progress. Ashwin provides another economical over, which keeps Joyce at the striker's end until he can claim a single from the last ball with a push down the ground.
Ire 91-1 (Joyce 1, Porterfield 43)
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Now there is more of spring in the step of the Indian players. New bowler Raina (continuing the spin) is up for an lbw shout after he pins Porterfield back in his crease and catches him on the pad. The umpire turns him down with replays showing it was just clipping leg stump. Joyce gets off the mark with a dab to leg.
"It was not the stroke Stirling wanted - he didn't follow through and that was an error of judgement. He knows he's missed out on a good opportunity because these are good conditions to bat on a fast outfield.
"Ireland have had to reassess their play because the boundaries have not come quite so easily against the spinners."
WICKET
Stirling c Rahane b Ashwin 42 (Ire 89-1)
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That is a real shame for Ireland. Stirling has looked in full control but he lets himself down from the last ball of Ashwin's over with a mis-timed attempt to smash one down the ground that lands into the hands of Rahane, running in from long-off. In comes Ed Joyce to join his captain.
Ire 85-0 (Run-rate 6.07)
Porterfield ends the brief boundary drought by latching on to a short ball from Jadeja to hammer a four through the off side before Stirling goes even better with a mighty pull to land the 300th tournament six into the stand behind deep mid-wicket. This is quality stuff from the Irish.
Ire 73-0 (Porterfield 36, Stirling 32)
Ashwin is a wily customer. He angles an arm ball into Porterfield, which beats the bat and hits him on the pads before looping harmlessly away. Once again, the Ireland pair have only singles to feed on. Still, it is solid platform building.
Ire 69-0
Porterfield and Stirling do well to keep the scoreboard ticking in the absence of further boundaries. They add another five to the total.
64-0 (Stirling 26 Porterfield 33)
It is a double spin bowling change as Ravi Ashwin replaces Mohit. There is a almost a calamitous moment from the first ball as the Ireland pair show some hesitation on a single and offer up a run-out chance, which India are unable to capitalise on. Three runs from the over. You can see the Indian thinking here; if Ireland want to score runs they are going to have to force it now against the spin instead of using the pace.
"What I like about Dhoni's captaincy is that he's always aggressive and always trying to find ways to take a wicket. That's why spinners are on at both ends."
Ire 60-0
Here comes the spin. Ravindra Jadeja whirls away for his first over and it is a sign of Porterfield's confidence that he tries (albeit unsuccessfully) to reverse sweep the first delivery. The captain gets more joy from a simpler turn to square leg for two runs before adding another run with another poke to leg. Ireland will be delighted with this.
Post update
Kalika Mehta
BBC Sport in Hamilton
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"Another India match, another sold out venue. On a gorgeous sunny day in Hamilton a lot of locals who ventured down hoping to see some cricket have been disappointingly turned away as another large contingent of India fans take over Seddon Park.
"They're in good voice too, beating their drums and cheering on their surprisingly impressive bowlers. Having completely outnumbered their Irish counterparts, they're even good enough to give out the odd cheer when the Irish batsmen find the boundary rope."
Ire 57-0 (Porterfield 27, Stirling 25)
Stirling looks in fine fettle. He lofts the ball straight down the ground for four with a beautiful checked drive off Mohit. He then adopts a 'my work here is done' approach to the rest of the over, offering solid defence to some decent length stuff from the India bowler.
"It's a really good sign that so many players have chipped in and contributed to Ireland's performances. This is a perfect start and there has been real intent from both players.
"They are up for this and will cause India problems because they are not looking like taking a wicket. There's not much swing or pace."
Ire 53-0
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Shami continues but he cannot prevent the early run of boundaries as Stirling moves into the 20s by getting underneath a cut shot to lift the ball over backward point for four. Meanwhile, it is developing into a colour-off between the two sets of fans in the stands.
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Ire 47-0 (Porterfield 26, Stirling 16)
This outfield is lightning. Porterfield times another back foot shot through cover and once it is past the fielder he doesn't have a chance of catching it. The Ireland captain then gets a bit carried away with a wild waft at a wide ball outside off. He gets away with it, though. He does better with the last ball, which he gets under and hammers just short of the wide third-man boundary to claim three more runs.
Ire 39-0
Shami bowls another wide (this time from a very short ball that flies well over the head of Porterfield). Stirling's promising start continues with another back-foot punch that brings him four through the covers. This is Ireland's best start of the tournament, not least of all because it is the first time they have not lost a wicket within the first five overs. They will need every run they can get on this ground, against this opponent.
Ire 33-0 (Porterfield 18, Stirling 12)
We have a bowling change already for India as Mohit Sharma comes on for Yadav. The right-arm medium pacer starts well but is punished for falling a bit short with his last ball, which Stirling punches through cover for four off the back foot.
Six - Ire (Stirling 7, Porterfield 17)
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Stirling gets in on the action with a pull off Shami that clears the boundary rope at mid-wicket for six. Not a bad way to get off the mark. He then claims a single off the last ball. This is a really good start from Ireland.
"This is a small ground and I've got a feeling 300 is not a huge score here."
Six - Ire 19-0 (Porterfield 16, Stirling 0)
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Porterfield is not messing about. Yadav drops one short and the Ireland skipper is on to it in a flash to pull it over mid-wicket for six. He then times a checked drive superbly to push it down the ground and away from the chasing Ravi Ashwin for four. Porterfield hogs the strike again with a well-taken single from the last ball.
Ire 8-0 (Porterfield 5, Stirling 0)
Mohammed Shami, who took 3-35 against the West Indies and has nine wickets in the tournament so far, is Yadav's opening partner for India. He keeps MS Dhoni involved with two successive wides down leg to gift Ireland a couple of runs before Stirling has a big swing and a miss at a ball outside off.
"India's bowlers have not given batsmen much width in this tournament so far. They have bowled straight and also short, and they have taken wickets to bowl sides out.
"It's been an example of discipline over variety. I always thought bowling would be their Achilles heel but they have really improved over the last few months since coming to Australia."
Ire 5-0
Porterfield takes a look at Yadav's first three balls - all pretty straight - before unleashing at a wide one to slice it away over the slips for four. The skipper keeps strike with a quick single from the last ball. It is a decent start for Ireland and a sign of intent, especially if the Indian bowlers err with width.
Post update
Ireland's openers are Will Porterfield and Paul Stirling. Umesh Yadav has the new ball for India from the Member's End. Here we go...
Post update
The teams are out for the anthems. The Ireland boys are linked shoulder to shoulder, just as their anthem suggests. The Indian players provide a less tub-thumping rendition of their own anthem but the focus is clear to see. The banks are filling up - mainly with India fans, but you can be sure the emerald-clad Irish fans will make their presence felt.
"Ireland will have to bat extremely well and it is good they won the toss because it gives them have half a chance. The feeling was that the India batting order was so powerful they might run away with it. But Ireland have been remarkable in this World Cup so far."
"We have been trying to second-guess Ireland head coach Phil Simmons all the way through this tournament but he's beaten us every time. I haven't seen much of Stuart Thompson myself - let's see how he goes against the world champions."
Post update
Ireland have made plenty of friends during this World Cup. Here is John Mooney with one of them.
Ireland cricketer John Mooney receives a traditional Maori welcomeImage caption: Ireland cricketer John Mooney receives a traditional Maori welcome
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You can also follow all the action from this match on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra, where Test Match Special has just got under way. You can find that on your radio machine or via the audio link at the top of this page.
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Skill of the Irish
Ireland have done some magnificent things in this World Cup so far, not least of all that superb, dramatic victory over Zimbabwe in their previous match. But this is their biggest challenge to date. India are reigning champions, unbeaten so far and are overwhelming favourites to make it five out of five today.
However, not only is Ireland's spirit strong but they have some talented performers, and India showed some weaknesses with the bat against West Indies in their last game before MS Dhoni steered them home. Could the impossible happen?
The weather forecast
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The weather forecast at Hamilton is good, with temperatures of 25C expected after a couple of days of indifferent weather.
Ireland skipper William Porterfield is not banking on the weather doing his side any favours against MS Dhoni's world champions.
"There's been a bit of rain around the last couple of days, but we will see what it is like and whether that will be a factor or not," he said.
Batsman's Paradise?
616 runs were scored in the South Africa-Zimbabwe game at Seddon Park on 15 February, and curator Karl Johnson says he expects the wicket to be another good batting track.
"We were instructed by the ICC to prepare good batting tracks with negligible seam movement and less turn," Johnson said,
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Seddon Park, HamiltonImage caption: Seddon Park, Hamilton
"So far the ICC has been happy with how the pitch has played."
Captain's view
India's MS Dhoni: "We were looking to bowl first and it gives us the opportunity to chase a score. We are playing with the same side and want to go on as we have been doing. We want to keep a settled team."
Team news
India are unchanged for this game. Ireland make one change with spinner Andy McBrine missing out and 23-year-old Stuart Thompson coming in. He is a left-handed batsman and right-arm medium pacer with seven ODIs under his belt.
Toss
Ireland win the toss and will bat
The group so far
Ireland take on already-qualified India at Seddon Park, Hamilton knowing that a win, or even a point from a rain-abandoned match, would be enough to see them through to the quarter-finals.
Ireland have three wins from four, beating the West Indies, the United Arab Emirates and Zimbabwe and losing only to South Africa so far in Pool B.
India are already through to the knockout stages following wins over Pakistan, South Africa, the UAE and the West Indies.
Post update
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Morning all. Welcome back to the Cricket World Cup, which for many of you will have a much more hollow ring to it than 24 hours ago.
We could fill the next 10 hours of this text commentary ranting about the shambles that has been England's embarrassing campaign. But we won't. Instead we'll be focussing on a true World Cup success story, a team on the verge of an unlikely spot in the last eight, who have shown their more prominent neighbours how this 50-over lark is meant to be done: Ireland.
Live Reporting
Phil Dawkes and Mark Mitchener
All times stated are UK
Get involved
- If they beat Pakistan, they will reach the quarter-finals.
- If they tie with Pakistan, or it's a no-result because of weather, they will reach the quarter-finals (as will Pakistan)
- If they lose to Pakistan, realistically (because of net run rate) they need to rely on West Indies to fail to beat the UAE in order to qualify.
- Thursday: South Africa v UAE
- Saturday: India v Zimbabwe (let's be fair, that's a dead rubber)
- Sunday: West Indies v UAE, Pakistan v Ireland
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©INPHO/Barry ChambersCopyright: ©INPHO/Barry Chambers Ireland cricketer John Mooney receives a traditional Maori welcomeImage caption: Ireland cricketer John Mooney receives a traditional Maori welcome 
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Latest PostPost update
So, a disappointing day for Ireland - but they're still in the hunt for a quarter-final place with one group game left, which is more than can be said for certain other teams. A final-day showdown with Pakistan in Adelaide awaits.
Next up, it's Sri Lanka (already through to the last eight) v Scotland (already eliminated) tomorrow in Hobart, with play starting at 03:30 GMT. We hope you'll join us from 03:00. Until then, thanks for your company and enjoy the rest of your day.
Post update
And a reminder the way the quarter-finals work: co-hosts New Zealand and Australia are already assured of their venues, no matter where they finish in Pool A.
Contrary to what you may hear elsewhere, New Zealand will play their quarter-final in Wellington on 21 March, their opponent will be determined by where they finish. In the same way, Australia will play in Adelaide on 20 March (opponents to be determined). The other games will be in Sydney and Melbourne - one will feature Bangladesh, one Sri Lanka. The ICC will decide which.
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Jay: Wonder whether the Irish team management will be looking at the data...
Captain's view
More from Ireland captain William Porterfield: "It was a very good pitch and there wasn't a lot of help for the seamers. We just couldn't kick on like their opening pair did. Ashwin bowled very well. We just lost some wickets in that period. All in all I think we played very well.
"We have put in a lot of yards in the last few weeks. It is all about being fresh for that game [against Pakistan]. It is winner takes all so we need to mentally prepare and be ready. If you can't get up for these games you won't be up for any."
Captain's view
Ireland captain William Porterfield: "I don't think it can [knock Ireland's confidence]. There are a lot of good things to take. We were disappointed to come off having not capitalised on a good situation. You have to give credit to India and they way they came back."
Captain's view
More from India captain MS Dhoni: "We've been here four months, the guys put in a lot of effort in the Test series so I knew we had to step up the intensity from the one-day series, and all the boys have done that. We're a little jet-lagged after coming from Perth, the boys were a little sleep-deprived so that's another reason this game was important."
Captain's view
India captain MS Dhoni: "Our bowlers are really doing the job for us, they've stepped up - not just the three fast bowlers, the spinners are complimenting them and when we've used part-timers they've done well. After the first three or four overs, I already knew I could bring on the spinners. There was less pace in the pitch than the last few games, so I tried all three fast bowlers and then with all the left-handers in their side, Suresh Raina bowled well."
What do Ireland need?
So, from Ireland's perspective:
Man of the match
Man of the match Shikhar Dhawan, who scored 100 for India: "I've spent lots of time here and sorted out my game. I am used to the bounce and the pace and enjoying my game. I have a game that suits these bouncy tracks. I enjoyed playing with greater creativity today.
"Everyone has spent lots of time here. I would like to thank the support staff and especially our skipper who have spent a lot of time working with the boys. It is lovely when we are on the field to see our bowlers bowling so consistently.
"The captain's message was to do the same things that we have been doing and with the same intensity."
Remaining fixtures
The all-important remaining Pool B fixtures are:
Post update
Let's have a look at that Pool B table, then. India win the group with five wins from five games, then come South Africa, Pakistan and Ireland (in that order on net run rate), all on six points from five games. The remaining three quarter-final places are between that trio and West Indies, who have five from five. Zimbabwe and the UAE have been eliminated.
Post update
Jeremy Coney
Ex-New Zealand captain on BBC Test Match Special
"If Pakistan bat against Ireland in the way they have played so far in the tournament, they won't score as freely as we have seen today. They will struggle more with the bat, though they may have got some confidence from that win over South Africa. and that may flow into their batting. I think Ireland will bowl better at Pakistan and won't be taken apart, But they have to cope with the Pakistan bowling, which be lively."
Final scorecard
India 260-2 from 36.5 overs (won by eight wickets)
Batsmen: Kohli 44, Rahane 33
Fall of wickets: 174-1 (Rohit 64). 190-2 (Dhawan 100)
Bowling figures: Mooney 6-0-44-0, Cusack 8-0-43-0, Thompson 6-0-45-2, Dockrell 5-0-44-0, Stirling 5-0-36-0, K O'Brien 6.5-0-42-0
Ireland 259 (49 overs): N O'Brien 75, Porterfield 67, Shami 3-41
Ireland won toss
Scorecard
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Man of the match
The splendidly-moustached Shikhar Dhawan is presented with the man-of-the-match award by the still splendidly-moustached Kiwi legend Sir Richard Hadlee.
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So, on paper, India were favourites - and on the field, I suspect it will be written into the annals of World Cup history as a fairly routine victory. While William Porterfield (67) and Niall O'Brien (75) had good knocks for Ireland, their bowlers rarely threatened against India's top order.
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Kalika Mehta
BBC Sport in Hamilton
"The Indian fans have streaked out of Seddon Park and on to the streets of Hamilton in jubilation. They expect a lot from their side and they're yet to be disappointed. As each match passes their cries of 'Jeetega India' are growing louder.
"Although significantly outnumbered the Irish fans too remained in good voice all day. Tonight they'll be looking to drown their sorrows in local favourite Shenanigans before their all important match against Pakistan."
Champagne moment
INDIA BEAT IRELAND BY EIGHT WICKETS AND WIN POOL B
Ind 260-2
O'Brien fires one as far outside as he dares, Kohli extends his bat but can't quite get to it. Next ball, he does connect with a fierce cover drive and India have won it with 13.1 overs to spare.
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Jeremy Coney
Ex-New Zealand captain on BBC Test Match Special
"It hasn't been what you call lively, with bowlers bowling 125-130kph, but there has been enough pace for batsmen to play all the shots, and it has been a fast outfield on a good seeing day. Ireland batted 30 of their 49 overs with enterprise, but they lost wickets at critical times and you can't do that against the better sides."
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Ind 256-2 (target 260)
Kevin O'Brien back on - can India win it this over? Kohli briefly endangers both bowler and umpire, clubbing the ball back past O'Brien - who wears a painful blow on the hand - and the umpire Dharmasena gets his legs out of the way like a hockey player looking to avoid a foul. Rahane rotates the strike to leave four needed.
Ind 254-2 (target 260)
Rahane has outscored Kohli in this partnership and looks like he could catch his partner up here, delicately dabbing Cusack for four wide of third man. The maths mean a half-century is unlikely for either batsman here - but Kohli has the TMS commentators purring with a powerful square cut for four and a quick single which leave just six more runs needed for victory.
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Tom in London: Even England would be slight favourites to win from here.
Steady on, Tom...
Ind 242-2 (Kohli 33*, Rahane 27*)
There are smiles all round, with both the batsmen and the infielders seemingly content in the knowledge that this result is a foregone conclusion. Kohli and the reprieved Rahane add a couple of singles while Mooney attempts a yorker which Rahane digs out - and it flies off the edge, low on his bat, for four. Not Mooney's - or Ireland's - night. That's also the fifty stand.
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Kalika Mehta
BBC Sport in Hamilton
"There are times when you can't hear what the person next to you is say because the sheer amount of cheering and general noise the Indian fans are making.
"11,002 people are packed in Seddon Park - which usually has a capacity of 10,000 - and the 95% or so Indian fans all brought to their feet by burst of "Jai Ho" from the Bollywood film of the same name. Although they honestly don't need much. As the big screen tells them only 24 more runs are needed a conga line is started up along all three banks."
Not out
Ind 236-2
It's "umpire's call", both for impact and clipping the top of the bails, so umpire Dharmasena's decision is upheld and he gives Mooney a consolatory pat on the shoulder as he walks back to his mark.
Umpire review
Ind 236-2
Mooney yells an lbw appeal against Rahane, both tattooed arms in the air, as he tries to flick the seamer across the line. Umpire Dharmasena is unmoved, but Ireland want a review...
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Jeremy Coney
Ex-New Zealand captain on BBC Test Match Special
"There is a possibility that South Africa could finish third in this group and play Australia. It is forecast to rain in the match between South Africa and the UAE in Wellington on Thursday. If South Africa get one point they go to seven points, and if Pakistan beat Ireland, they will go to eight points."
Powerplay
Ind 236-2 (target 260)
Umpire Richard Kettleborough (who, given he's been ICC umpire of the year for the last two years, may fancy his chances of standing in the final now England are out), signals the batting powerplay which India have decided to take a couple of overs before they're obliged to do so.
Ireland turn back to seamer Alex Cusack, but with only three men permitted outside the circle, Kohli finds a gap to thread a four through the covers, while four straightforward singles mean India need 24 from 36 balls.
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Ilyas Najib: As a Pakistani it's the second game in a row I've backed the Indians, NRR will play a part in qualification in this group.
Drinks break
Ind 228-2 (Kohli 26*, Rahane 20*)
Bryan Waddle and Ebony Rainford-Brent on TMS lament the lack of a genuine pace bowler in the Irish ranks - I wonder if Boyd Rankin might seek to requalify for Ireland (in the manner of Ed Joyce) if he's overlooked for England for much longer, having been in the wilderness for 14 months since his last appearance. Rahane helps himself to another four, and the players have earned a drinks break with only 32 more needed.
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Prayags: This match is going to finish too soon. Do not know what to do with rest of the day with boss out of office today.
Ind 224-2 (target 260)
Ireland turn back to opening bowler John Mooney - now sans his lime-green headband - and the bearded right-arm seamer opens with a ropey wide. Keeper Gary Wilson is standing up to the stumps, and there's a slip in, but Rahane reaches well to unleash a cover-driven four which bisects two infielders and two boundary riders alike. An attempted legside stumping is called as another wide, it's really not Ireland's day.
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Ebony Rainford-Brent
Ex-England batter on BBC Test Match Special
"Ireland have showcased their cricket by beating a couple of the bigger nations, Zimbabwe and the West Indies, in this World Cup. They chased down the West Indies score with ease in the first match. They haven't done themselves any disservice and they will still hold out hope for that last game against Pakistan."
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Ind 218-2 (Kohli 26*, Rahane 12*)
The leprechauns and other green-clad Blarney Army fans in Seddon Park are putting a brave face on this game, dancing around the stands, but the party's already started for the Indian contingent who have unveiled a huge "Bharat Army" flag. Rahane late-cuts, this time there's no Thompson to cut it off at third man... because he's bowling. Andy Balbirnie can't quite get there, losing his sunglasses as he dives towards the rope in vain, and the target is down to 42 from 108 balls.
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Ebony Rainford-Brent
Ex-England batter on BBC Test Match Special
"Kevin O'Brien has been one of the most expensive bowlers in the tournament with his economy rate. But today he has put the ball in good areas, hit the pitch quite hard, hitting the top of off stump."
Ind 210-2 (target 260)
Kohli has all the time in the world to late-cut Kevin O'Brien down to third man, where Thompson stretches every sinew to cut the ball off and restrict Kohli for two - earning him a little clap from the bowler. O'Brien is then indebted to brother Niall who is Ireland's boundary fox at deep cover. But there's nothing the O'Brien family - or anyone else - can do as Rahane easily knocks a four back past the non-striker. 50 more needed.
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Bryan Waddle
BBC Test Match Special
"India are very much hand-eye players who can bat through the line on true surfaces. If you stack one side of the field, they are just as likely to move across the stumps and whip you that side anyway."
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Scorecard update
India 203-2 from 30 overs (target 260)
Batsmen: Kohli 21, Rahane 2
Fall of wickets: 174-1 (Rohit 64). 190-2 (Dhawan 100)
Bowling figures: Mooney 4-0-28-0, Cusack 6-0-23-0, Thompson 5-0-37-2, Dockrell 5-0-44-0, Stirling 5-0-36-0, K O'Brien 5-0-29-0
Ireland 259 (49 overs): N O'Brien 75, Porterfield 67, Shami 3-41
Ireland won toss
Scorecard
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Ind 203-2
Kohli is in no mood to hang around here and finds easy pickings against young Thompson, punching a four back past the bowler to bring up India's 200 and helping himself to ones and twos.
A win today would confirm India as winners of Pool B, earning them a quarter-final against the fourth-placed Pool A team - which, on the balance of probabilities, one would expect to be Bangladesh (that's assuming Australia Sri Lanka both beat Scotland, and Bangladesh find things a little less straightforward against New Zealand).
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Ebony Rainford-Brent
Ex-England batter on BBC Test Match Special
"India are looking unruffled. There is no swing or seam movement so it is tough going for the Ireland bowlers. I think India will try to wrap this up in the next seven or eight overs."
Ind 196-2 (Kohli 14*, Rahane 2*)
Kevin O'Brien into his fifth over, India are still helping themselves to quick singles - Kohli pokes the ball into the covers and Rahane has to pull out the full-length dive to make his ground at the striker's end. Five singles from the over leave India needing 64 from 21 overs - or, should you prefer, 126 balls.
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Jack Tanner: It's hard to believe these are the same England and India teams that played each other in Brisbane two months ago.
Ind 191-2 (target 260)
Ajinkya Rahane is the new batsman. Thompson, having gone round the park for 18 in his first over, now has 2-30 from four overs.
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Ebony Rainford-Brent
Ex-England batter on BBC Test Match Special
"Thompson's not express pace and you felt for him coming in today against international batsmen. He got the treatment early doors, but he has come back. I hope he can put a decent spell together on his World Cup debut."
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WICKET
Dhawan c Porterfield b Thompson 100 (Ind 190-2)
Dhawan finally falls trying to hit Thompson over the top, skying the ball over the covers where he's pouched by skipper Porterfield running back. Kohli had just shown him how it's done, hoisting the World Cup debutant over long-on for six earlier in the over.
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Ian Dobson: Ireland must be thrilled to finally get a wicket. Then devastation as Virat Kohli is next down the ramp..
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Ebony Rainford-Brent
Ex-England batter on BBC Test Match Special
"Dhawan has been in great form in this tournament. He has played so fluently, has really kicked in and looked really good. There was long time where he didn't kick in to his role as a batsman, and he talked the other day about how much it meant to get a hundred. He felt he had been battling for while."
Dhawan 100
Ind 183-1 (target 260)
Shikhar Dhawan inches towards an eighth ODI century by tapping a two and flicking a single off his legs to bring up the landmark from 84 balls, removing his helmet to take the applause of the flag-waving Indian fans who have taken over Seddon Park today.
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Sean Devilly: Delighted for Stuart Thompson. Has a lot of potential, just needs to start putting in big performances to show why Phil Simmons has backed him so often.
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Jeremy Coney
Ex-New Zealand captain on BBC Test Match Special
"Thompson has kept the ball outside the off stump, at about maybe 120kph, just angling the ball back into the stumps. He is just trying to bowl to his field, that arc of fielders around the offside. He got the wicket - and that will be important as far as his confidence is concerned."
Ind 178-1 (Dhawan 97*, Kohli 1*)
Thanks, Phil. Morning, everyone - I hope you Ireland fans out there aren't crying into your cornflakes too much. It rather looks like this match is going one way... but you never know. That's why we follow cricket, isn't it?
It looks like an increasingly cold evening in Hamilton - the umpires have called for their heavier coats - and umpire Richard Kettleborough has the chance to stretch his arms inside his big red jerkin by calling Stuart Thompson for a wide. Kohli is off the mark with a single.
Ind 175-1 (Target 260)
The wicket has just brought around a small check in India's progress. Kohli has started patiently and blocks out O'Brien after Dhawan has moved to 97 with a single. I now hand you over to Mr Mark Mitchener, who will see you through to the close.
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Jeremy Coney
Ex-New Zealand captain on BBC Test Match Special
"There was delicacy and panache from Rohit in that innings - he's a lovely player who makes stroke-making look quite simple, I think. There is an authority and composure about his batting."
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Ind 174-1
The good news for Ireland is that they have a wicket. The bad news is that it brings Virat Kohli to the crease. Just the 6,451 ODI runs to his name at 52.02. Thompson keeps it tight, though, and finishes a good second over without conceding any further runs.
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John Kenny
BBC Test Match Special
"Thompson, hand in the air Alan Shearer-style, celebrates the wicket!"
WICKET
Rohit b Thompson 64 (Ind 174-1)
This is good to see. It probably won't change anything fundamentally but it is good for Thompson to come back and claim a morale-boosting wicket after his first over in the World Cup went for 18. It is a good length and Rohit looks to steer it down to third man but succeeds only in chopping it on to his own stumps.
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John Kenny
BBC Test Match Special
"Ireland so far in this World Cup have been pretty good in two of the three disciplines, the batting and the fielding. The fielding in particular has been exceptional for some time now. But in the bowling department, they are just not up to the standard required."
Ind 172-0 (Rohit 62, Dhawan 96)
Dhawan is charging towards a century here. He drops to one knee to ramp/flick a ball from Kevin O'Brien down to the fine leg boundary for four. Another boundary follows from the same player from the last ball, which is whipped through mid-wicket.
Ind 162-0 (98 required off 28 overs)
Niall O'Brien prevents another boundary off Dockrell by sprinting round to flick a lofted drive to extra cover crossing the rope. The respite lasts just one ball, though, as Dhawan hammers one (resulting in him brandishing his bat in one hand like a wand) over mid-on for six.
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Jeremy Coney
Ex-New Zealand captain on BBC Test Match Special
"George Dockrell comes over the top quite nicely as a left-arm orthodox, gets the ball to turn the ball a little, and he has an impressive arm ball back into the right-hander. He has suffered a little today, but he has looked the most likely to pick up wickets."
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Ind 152-0 (Rohit 60, Dhawan 78)
Kevin O'Brien was expensive in the game against Zimbabwe, going for 90 runs. And he carries on where he left off as Dhawan plants him over the rope near the backward square-leg boundary. The bowler comes back well, though, with some good line and length to concede just two more runs.
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Arjun Thayat: Has BCCI asked India to beat the daylights out of Ireland so they wouldn't dare question the ICC (another the version of BCCI) again?
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Irish cricket journalist Ger Siggins: This is the first time Ireland have ever conceded a century opening partnership in World Cups.
Ind 144-0 (Target 260)
The simple truth is that if you hit a ball on this ground there is a very good chance you'll get a six for your troubles. Dhawan is capitalising on the short boundaries by claiming maximums seemingly at will. He plants Dockrell into the stand over mid-wicket for his third six and the sixth of the innings. The over goes for 10 to make this India's third-highest opening partnership at a World Cup.
50 for Rohit
Ind 134-0
Rohit joins Dhawan with his half-century, brought up by a booming lofted drive over extra cover for six. India are walking this. These two have barely broken sweat.
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Jeremy Coney
Ex-New Zealand captain on BBC Test Match Special
"Growing the game is important - we have 10 sides throughout the entire world, and maybe Bangladesh, Zimbabwe and the West Indies have not looked great in recent times. Ten becomes seven and that is not enough - we need to grow the game, bring the sides below that seven into the set up."
Ind 125-0 (Rohit 48, Dhawan 63)
Ireland have had a quick regroup during a drinks break. What ideas they might have come up with to try and break this partnership is anyone's guess? Porterfield sticks with Cusack, who Dhawan tries to ramp over Wilson first ball but plants the ball straight into the keeper's helmet. Thankfully, he is OK (barring a quick rearranging of his lid) and the rest of the over goes for four untroubled singles.
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Kalika Mehta
BBC Sport in Hamilton
"The India fans surrounding the longest boundary have not stopped cheering, whistling, drumming and generally creating a lot of noise for the past hour and Dhawan and Sharma are rewarding them by launching the ball in their direction.
"A burst of Eddy Grant's 'Electric Avenue' is played over the Tannoy. There isn't an Electric Avenue in Hamilton but there are a fair few Irish pubs where a lot of the Irish crowd are making plans to head to after the match. They're up for a party no matter the result."
Scorecard update
India 121-0 from 17 overs (target 260)
Batsmen: Rohit 46 from 45, Dhawan 61 from 57
Bowling figures: Mooney 4-0-28-0, Cusack 5-0-19-0, Thompson 1-0-18-0, Dockrell 3-0-24-0, Stirling 4-0-27-0
Ireland 259 (49 overs): N O'Brien 75, Porterfield 67, Shami 3-41
Ireland won toss
Scorecard
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50 for Dhawan
Ind 121-0
Dhawan clips Dockrell into the leg side for a single and as easy as that Dhawan has a half-century, from 54 balls. He celebrates later in the over with a big hit over wide mid-on for six and then a flick down to fine leg for four. It is difficult to see where a wicket is coming from here.
Ind 107-0
Cusack returns but the Indian openers' untroubled run-accumulation continues courtesy of three singles and a leg-bye. There is a feeling of resignation about the Ireland display now. They could really do with a wicket to lift their spirits.
Ind 103-0 (Dhawan 47, Rohit 43)
A single off Stirling's first ball brings up the 100 partnership, at a run-rate of just over seven an over. And the singles keep coming. With every one Ireland will further regret those dropped early catches.
Ind 99-0 (Target 260)
These two are starting to take the mickey now. Dhawan stabs a sweep shot through backward point for four and then, later in the over, cuts another boundary. In between, a loose ball from Dockrell beats bat and keeper and runs away for four byes.
Ind 86-0
The India batsmen are utterly untroubled at the moment. They are picking up singles with the minimum of fuss and taking any lose ball to the cleaners. Rohit rocks back to cut a short, wide one from Stirling through backward point for four.
Ind 78-0 (Target 260)
Dockrell's second over is better than his first, again due to a fuller length. He concedes two runs from his first ball - through a Sharma dab to third man - but goes for just two more from the other five balls. Unfortunately for Ireland, they need much more than tight overs.
Ind 74-0
Another bowling change sees more spin, courtesy of Paul Sterling. He brings a big improvement on the previous over, pitching the ball must fuller to keep India to just the one run. He also chances an lbw appeal as Dhawan looks to reverse-sweep but the umpire is quick to turn him down.
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Ebony Rainford-Brent
Ex-England batter on BBC Test Match Special
"These boundaries are short so you've got be on the money against batsmen of this class. The minute Dockrell dropped the ball short Rohit Sharma pounced. You just sense India are going to cruise away with this by playing sensibly and hitting the bad ball to the boundary."
Ind 73-0 (Rohit 33, Dhawan 30)
Porterfield does make a decision, by bringing Dockrell's spin into play. It doesn't halt India's momentum, though, as Rohit smashes a short ball over the mid-wicket boundary for six. Too short. This has been Ireland's major failing with the ball so far. A subsequent single takes Rohit to 4,000 ODI runs - the 14th Indian player to reach this figure. This has been some of the easiest 33 runs he has ever scored.
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Ebony Rainford-Brent
Ex-England batter on BBC Test Match Special
"It's a big match for a 24-year-old to come in against the current world champions. India are going along nicely and will look to target someone like him and put the pressure on him. It will be a measure of him to see how he comes back. He needs to get the ball up a bit fuller."
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David in Spain: Don't like to say so at this early stage, but two points to India, I think. Can't see it any other way, unless the "cricket's a funny old game" cliche comes home to roost.
Ind 62-0
The newly-included Stuart Thompson is brought into the attack and starts very nervously. He starts with a wide before Dhawan latches on to a short ball and pulls him over the rope at deep square leg for six and then pulls another ball straighter past mid-on for four. Two further wides follow, including one that is so far to Wilson's left that it beats the keeper's dive and runs away for five. Porterfield has some decisions to make now.
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Kalika Mehta
BBC Sport in Hamilton
"Seddon Park is a small ground and as a relatively calm Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane and Ravi Jadeja sit at the boundary edge watching the on field proceedings a pocket of Indian fans, separated by just a small white-picket fence, scream in adulation at their heroes. Some of them look like they may burst from the excitement."
Ind 44-0 (Target 260)
The floodgates are opening now. Dhawan takes the game to Ireland with successive boundaries off Cusack's first two balls, both from drives into the off side. With the requisite damage done, Dhawan then pats away the rest of the over with ease.
Dropped catch
Ind 36-0 (Rohit 23, Dhawan 11)
Another catch goes down, again off Mooney. This time, though, it is the captain Will Porterfield, who claimed that match-winning catch against Zimbabwe, but cannot hold on to a chance at point offered to him by a slice from Dhawan. It required a dive and would have been a great snare, but goes down as a missed opportunity nonetheless. To compound Mooney's woe, Rohit ends the over with a drive through cover for four and a straight six over long-off.
Ind 23-0
As an indicator of the Irish openers lack of pace, keeper Wilson is standing up to Cusack. What he lacks in pace, though, Cusack makes up for in accuracy. His third over is a good one that goes for just one run. The Indian batsman remain unruffled.
Ind 22-0 (Rohit 11, Dhawan 10)
Mooney continues but he is struggling to find a consistent rhythm. The India openers are able to comfortably work the ball around for a couple of singles before Dhawan times a drive to send the ball flying skidding past the field and out to the extra cover boundary. All too easy for India.
Ind 16-0 (Target 260)
Rohit has not been in the best form this tournament but he is a class act, which he proves with an on drive that sends the ball flying back past Cusack and down to the boundary. Beautiful shot. They are the only runs from the over.
Dropped catch
Ind 12-0
Mooney goes all 70s tennis star on us by donning his lime headband. His first ball doesn't go top plan, though, as he drops shot and is dispatched to the mid-wicket boundary by a powerful pull from Dhawan. The headband is off after his final ball, possibly in disgust at him dropping a catch off his own bowling as Dhawan smashes it straight back at him. That would have been a huge boost for Ireland had it stuck.
Ire 8-0 (Dhawan 1, Rohit 6)
Dhawan gets off the mark with a flick to work a straight Cusack delivery to leg. Then Rohit leans into an on-drive and works the ball away for a couple of runs. A calm start from India.
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Ind 5-0 (Target 260)
John Mooney is first up with the ball for Ireland from the Member's End. He is very wide in the crease in his final stride, which angles the ball into the right-handed Sharma and ties him up before a wide gives India their first run and a back-foot punch into off for four gets the batsman off the mark.
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And we're back. The Irish players huddle together for some words of encouragement. They have 259 runs on the board. Will it be enough? Out come Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dahwan, who will give us our first indication...
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Ebony Rainford-Brent
Ex-England batter on BBC Test Match Special
"Ireland will be very disappointed having started so well. Two key batsmen got scores but didn't go on. The key point is that India bowled well, especially after the first 10 overs.
"The spinners got through their overs well and Ashwin showed his class with a bit of variation and then the pace bowlers came back in and got among the wickets to leave Ireland under pressure. You would expect India's big guns to come out now and knock the runs off."
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India spinner Ravi Ashwin: "I thought they batted well at the start and we had to bowl well to get a couple of wickets and get back in the game. That is what happened. There is the odd ball that is stopping but the pitch is pretty flat.
"It was more about pace and that is something I made a conscious effort with to slow it down and bowl my arm ball. I knew they would come at me because of the restrictions but my plan was to keep them coming and to bowl well.
"All these ICC tournaments are about momentum and if we can round that off with a good batting display that will be good."
End-of-innings scorecard
Ireland 259 all out from 49 overs (Ireland won toss)
Not out batsman: Mooney 12
Fall of wickets: 89-1 (Stirling 42), 92-2 (Joyce 2), 145-3 (Porterfield 67), 206-4 (Balbirnie 24), 208-5 (K O'Brien 1), 222-6 Wilson 6), 226-7 (N O'Brien 75), 227-8 (Thompson 2), 238-9 (Dockrell 6), 259-10 (Cusack 11)
Bowling figures: Yadav 4-0-34-1, Shami 9-0-41-3, Mohit Sharma 6-0-38-1 Jadeja 7-0-45-1, Ashwin 10-1-38-2, Raina 10-0-40-1, Rohit Sharma 3-0-21-0
Scorecard
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WICKET
Cusack c Yadav b Shami 11 (Ire 259 all out)
Cusack slices a four through backward point off Shami's first ball but the bowler gets his revenge on the last as an attempted ramp shot plants the ball straight into the hands of Yadav at third man. It represents a disappointing end to what was a promising innings. You never know in cricket, but I would be amazed if that score is enough for victory here. India should walk it.
How's stat?
Andrew Samson
BBC Test Match Special statistician
Highest totals by associate teams against India:
World Cup: 235 - Zimbabwe at Tunbridge Wells in 1983 and 235-7 Kenya at Bristol in 1999
All ODIs: 265-5 - Kenya at Gwalior in 1998
Ire 253-9 (Mooney 11, Cusack 6)
Ireland reach 250 as Cusack and Mooney pilfer a few singles from Mohit. The innings is ending in a whimper, when at one point it looked as though they could have been pushing towards and past 300. Credit to Dhoni and his side, who hit back hard to Ireland's impressive start.
Ire 247-9
Shami looks to wrap things up for India but the Ireland pair survive and add three to the total to take their team close to the 250 mark, which would represent a minor psychological victory if nothing else.
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Karen Lynch: India peaking when it matters..tri series was just a practice to iron out any problems.
Ire 243-9 (Cusack 1, Mooney 8)
Alex Cusack is the last man for Ireland and he gets off the mark with a single to leg. Mooney gives the Irish fans something to cheer by driving Yadav through backward point for four.
WICKET
Dockrell c Dhoni b Yadav 6 (238-9)
After Mooney adds three runs to the Ireland total with a couple of pull shots, an ugly swing from Dockrell gives Yadav his first wicket of the day courtesy of an edge to Dhoni.
Ire 234-8 (Run-rate 5.20)
Dockrell has no answer for Shami, who fires one past the outside edge before forcing the tail-ender to take evasive action to avoid a nasty short ball. Mooney's single from the first ball is the only run from the over.
Six - Ire 233-8 (Mooney 0, Dockrell 6)
Ireland will take all the runs they can get now, including a very welcome six down the ground by Dockrell off Jadeja. It is the only scoring strike from the over.
Ire 227-8
Mooney is joined by George Dockrell but he can only watch from the non-striker's end as Shami ties the big man down with some tight bowling. Ireland will do well to see out the 50 overs now.
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Ebony Rainford-Brent
Ex-England batter on BBC Test Match Special
"Unfortunately another wicket falls and the momentum has gone for Ireland. They need to take it a lot deeper before thinking about being too aggressive. With only two wickets in hand they have to be sensible to bat out the overs whereas India will be aggressive now. It's amazing to see India's turnaround since the tri-series."
WICKET
Thompson run out 2 (Ire 227-8)
Ireland are sinking now. John Mooney is the new man and he prods his third ball to leg, which prompts Thompson to set off before being sent back and left well short with his dive as Kohli's throw clatters the stumps at the non-striker's end. The last five wickets have fallen for 21 runs.
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Ebony Rainford-Brent
Ex-England batter on BBC Test Match Special
"An excellent knock from Niall O'Brien but he will be disappointed. He's given his side a chance by providing a platform but the rest of the guys have a lot to do. If they can bat out these final overs they should set a decent target. India's opening partnership has not fired yet so you never know."
WICKET
N O'Brien c Yadav b Shami 75 (Ire 226-7)
Huge disappointment for O'Brien and Ireland as he looks to flick a Shami ball to leg and is comfortably caught by Yadav at square leg. The wickets are tumbling now and Ireland are in danger of crumbling below 250.
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Jonathan Agnew
BBC Test Match Special
On Twitter: Cheerio Adelaide. When you see me again on Saturday I'll be reinvented as an Irishman…
Ire 226-6
Stuart Thompson - who was brought into the side in place of McBrine today - is next to try and provide the support Niall O'Brien needs to kick Ireland on. He helps rotate the strike as four more singles are added to the total.
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Jeremy Coney
Ex-New Zealand captain on BBC Test Match Special
"The responsibility for the players coming in is to give Niall O'Brien the strike. He's the one looking to play shots. They need to do that without taking any silly risks."
WICKET
Wilson c Rahane b Jadeja 6 (Ire 222-6)
Double Nelson strikes for Ireland as Wilson top-edges trying to sweep Jadeja and is caught by Rahane at short fine leg.
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Kevin Howells
BBC Test Match Special
On Twitter: The man who signs off @Irelandcricket team sheet is soon to sign off after three World Cups. Roy is with us during the interval.
Ire 222-5 (Wilson 6, O'Brien 73)
Niall O'Brien is doing a superb job for Ireland. Yadav didn't have a lot of joy in his two-over spell at the start of the innings and he is welcomed back with a straight six of his third ball as part of an over that goes for 10.
Scorecard update
Ireland 212-5 from 40 overs (Ireland won toss)
Batsmen: N O'Brien 65, Wilson 4
Fall of wickets: 89-1 (Stirling 42), 92-2 (Joyce 2), 145-3 (Porterfield 67), 206-4 (Balbirnie 24), 208-5 (K O'Brien 1)
Bowling figures: Yadav 2-0-15-0, Shami 5-0-29-1, Mohit Sharma 5-0-32-1 Jadeja 5-0-35-0, Ashwin 10-1-38-2, Raina 10-0-40-1, Rohit Sharma 3-0-21-0
Scorecard
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Ire 213-5
Gary Wilson comes in and starts well with a boundary from his first ball, driven superbly to the cover boundary. That is the end of the powerplay and Ireland have 10 overs to push on to that magical 300 mark, that is surely the minimum requirement here.
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Jeremy Coney
Ex-New Zealand captain on BBC Test Match Special
"Just a shame Kevin O'Brien couldn't get started because we know how well he can hit. Important that Ireland put together a partnership now. If they can get another 100 they will have something to bowl at."
WICKET
Kevin O'Brien c Dhoni b Shami 1 (208-5)
Kevin O'Brien goes before the fireworks can start. It is a great ball from Shami, just short of length, which Kevin drives at and edges to Dhoni. That is an important wicket for India. He could have been vital in getting Ireland towards 300.
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Jeremy Coney
Ex-New Zealand captain on BBC Test Match Special
"Just a question now of is that too many wickets? And how will Kevin O'Brien go? He is the key man to try to get this total over 300.
"The threat of Ashwin, the pick of the spinners, is gone. He was getting turn but the others aren't."
WICKET
Balbirnie c Shami b Ashwin 24 (Ire 206-4)
Balbirnie goes for Ashwin and succeeds, claiming two boundaries, before the bowler hits back decisively, drawing a top-edge from a sweep that spoons the ball up to Shami at short fine leg. Here comes the other O'Brien, Kevin. We all know what he can do.
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Kalika Mehta
BBC Sport in Hamilton
"The small pockets of Ireland fans are enjoying chanting 'England's going home' to the tune of 'Football's coming home'.
"Niall O'Brien's half-century is giving the Irish fans plenty to cheer about and many of the supporters have said they are eyeing a quarter-final berth to 'give them an extra reason to celebrate St Patrick's Day', apparently. St Paddy's, on March 17th, is a rather big deal in these parts."
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Jeremy Coney
Ex-New Zealand captain on BBC Test Match Special
"Niall O'Brien realises he's got away with one there with that six. There was a huge smile on his face. The difference there was the intent. He was looking to go for it and gave himself room and even though he didn't get hold of it, he got enough on it."
Ire 194-3 (Run-rate 5.10)
O'Brien swipes another six, which he plants towards cow corner. He gets lucky as the ball goes through the hands of a fielder in the deep. Balbirnie also gets his slice of luck as he tries to sweep aggressively and gets a top-edge over the keeper for four. Jadeja goes for 13.
Six - Ire 181-3
India use their review unsuccessfully to try and overturn a not out decision against Balbirnie, who tried to sweep the returning Ashwin and flicked the ball up to a fielder, but off his arm, not his bat. O'Brien makes the most of the final ball of the over by dancing down and hitting down the ground for six.
Ire 173-3 (O'Brien 46, Balbirnie 10)
Jadeja is back in the attack as the powerplay begins and he does well to keep Ireland to just two runs. Ireland need to show greater intent, especially with only three men in the deep with the restrictions.
Ire 171-3
India have been decent in the field today and they cause Ireland a few nervous moments with a direct throw on the stumps at the non-striker's end by Mohit to try and run out O'Brien. he was well home, though, as the replay confirms. Raina's final over goes for three runs and he finishes with 10-0-40-1.
Ire 166-3 (Run-rate 4.93)
Ireland are building some momentum now. Balbirnie contributes to this with a drive through cover for four off Mohit. O'Brien then takes over with a pull from a short ball that hits the gap and rockets to the fence. The bowler then chucks in a wide down leg for good measure. This is a pleasing change of gear for Ireland ahead of the powerplay.
Ire 156-3
The 150 is up for Ireland courtesy of a superbly-timed sweep from O'Brien who does little more than steer the ball from Raina but does enough to beat the fielder. After a couple of singles (one of which gets Balbirnie off the mark), O'Brien repeats his sweep trick to loft one down to the same boundary for another four.
Ire 146-3 (O'Brien 30, Balbirnie 0)
Balbirnie is the new man. He fell just three runs short of a century in that superb game against Zimbabwe. What can he do here? He is given a couple of testing deliveries at the end of Mohit's over but survives them.
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Ebony Rainford-Brent
Ex-England batter on BBC Test Match Special
"The spinners have done an excellent job in restricting Ireland and the batsmen thought there was a chance to get the momentum going again with the return of a seam bowler. Disappointment for Porterfield because he was going so well and now someone will have to stick in and make a good 50/70 to take this game to India."
WICKET
Porterfield c Yadav b Mohit 67 (Ire 145-3)
Porterfield had done all the hard work by surviving the spinners but he falls as soon as Mohit Sharma returns with a leading edge off an attempted steer to leg that flicks the ball up for the simplest of catches for Yadav. It is a good innings from the Ireland captain. Now can the bigger hitters kick their team on?
144-2 (O'Brien 28, Porterfield 67)
Raina causes Porterfield some problems as one kicks on and almost beats the batsman's defence before sneaking one under the bat next ball as the skipper advanced down the track. After a single, O'Brien survives an lbw call after he stepped across to try and steer the ball to leg. Ireland will still be happy with this. It is tough going but they have batsmen in the tent for a charge.
Scorecard update
Ireland 142-2 from 30 overs (Ireland won toss)
Batsmen: Porterfield 66 from 88 (five fours, one six), O'Brien 27 from 42
Fall of wickets: 89-1 (Stirling 42), 92-2 (Joyce 2)
Bowling figures: Yadav 2-0-15-0, Shami 4-0-23-0, Mohit Sharma 3-0-18-0 Jadeja 3-0-20-0, Ashwin 8-0-19-1, Raina 7-0-25-1, Rohit Sharma 3-0-21-0
Scorecard
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Ire 142-2
This is much better from O'Brien, who uses his first to superb effect to claim successive boundaries at the start of Rohit's latest over. He hits the first aerially towards cow corner and the second over extra cover. Four singles follow to complete an excellent over for Ireland - the first you could say they have won in a while.
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Ebony Rainford-Brent
Ex-England batter on BBC Test Match Special
"India are fired up here in the field and the bowlers are really keen to get through these overs quickly to make sure Ireland don't have any time to think about their batting."
130-2 (O'Brien 17, Porterfield 64)
Ireland are back in the boundary game as Porterfield plants his front foot and hammers one from Raina over extra cover for four. The bowler responds well with some cunning deliveries, one of which that kicks on and ties up the Irish skipper.
Ire 126-2
Porterfield's strike-rate was around 100 earlier in the innings. He has slowed down markedly since the Indian spinners entered the fray. He now has 60 from 80 balls. It is a binary innings now. All 0s and 1s.
Ire 122-2 (Run-rate 4.51)
Ireland are going to have to do something soon to increase their scoring rate here. It is not a big ground and India will not be daunted by a total below 300. Raina keeps up the pressure with another neat over that restricts Ireland to four singles.
Ire 118-2
Another bowling change but India are sticking with the spin, courtesy of Rohit Sharma. He starts loosely with a full toss that Porterfield sweeps away for two but tightens up and keeps the Irish pair to singles.
Ire 113-2 (Porterfield 52, O'Brien 12)
Ashwin is absolutely rattling through his overs. He has bowled eight now in no time. And every one has been a challenge for Ireland, particularly with that arm ball that darts in to the batsman. Porterfield and O'Brien survive, though, and claim three more runs.
50 for Porterfield
Ire 110-2
If they are not going to find the boundary (and India are making sure this is a rarity), Ireland need to rotate the strike. They do just that to claim five singles off Raina, one of which brings Porterfield to what has been a very impressive half-century.
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Jeremy Coney
Ex-New Zealand captain on BBC Test Match Special
"Niall O'Brien is having to work pretty hard to get the spinners away. Ashwin is causing him problems with his variations and he has to get the strike back to his captain. He can't afford to take up three or four deliveries but has to rotate the strike."
106-2
Ireland are looking to be more proactive as Porterfield prods one to off and pushes for a quick single, which becomes two courtesy of wayward throw from an India fielder. Barring that, it is another testing over from Ashwin.
Ire 103-2
Niall O'Brien decides he's had enough of the conservatism and has a little dance down the wicket to Raina. His bravery is rewarded with a bit of luck as he slices it over the skips and away for the first boundary in eight overs. It takes Ireland to three figures.
Ire 97-2 (O'Brien 2, Porterfield 47)
Lots of noise from the Indian fielders, who know they are firmly on top now. Ashwin speeds through his sixth over for the concession of just the one run. He has 1-14 from this spell.
Ire 96-2
Another cracker of an over, this time from Raina, going for just three runs. There is an awful lot of pressure on the Ireland batsmen now, after they looked very comfortable and free-flowing during the first seven or eight overs.
Ire 93-2
Ireland are in survival mode. O'Brien is again forced to be reactive against the superb spin of Ashwin, who bowls the first maiden of the innings, which included an absolute belter of a ball that beats the outside edge of the bat. Too good. Porterfield is an observer.
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Jeremy Coney
Ex-New Zealand captain on BBC Test Match Special
"In the last two or three overs Raina has not found any spin but has bowled it quite flat and skiddy, and India will feel they have found a way to put pressure on new batsmen when they come in.
"Should the batsmen use their feet and use the straight bat or should they use the sweep shot? The batsmen haven't found a solution yet and it's probably one they haven't faced much in this type of pressure situation."
Ire 93-2 (Niall O'Brien 1, Porterfield 43)
Niall O'Brien is the new Ireland batsman and he gets off the mark with a drive to cover. It is the only run of another very effective over of spin from India, who appear to have found an effective recipe for success here.
WICKET
Joyce b Raina 2 (Ire 92-2)
Oh dear. One brings two as Joyce looks to be proactive with a cut off Raina but does not account for the arm ball which kicks on and takes out middle stump. The spinners are wrestling control of this away from the Irish.
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Kalika Mehta
BBC Sport
"The DJ plays a blast of 'Sunny Sunny (Aj Blue He Pani Pani)' by Yo Yo Honey Singh to get the masses on the banks up and dancing.
"Stirling's departure brings about the first loud cheer and excitable flag waving from the Indian supporters, in an otherwise slightly more sedate period of the match following the early fireworks from the Irish batsmen."
Ire 92-1
This spin assault has checked the Ireland progress. Ashwin provides another economical over, which keeps Joyce at the striker's end until he can claim a single from the last ball with a push down the ground.
Ire 91-1 (Joyce 1, Porterfield 43)
Now there is more of spring in the step of the Indian players. New bowler Raina (continuing the spin) is up for an lbw shout after he pins Porterfield back in his crease and catches him on the pad. The umpire turns him down with replays showing it was just clipping leg stump. Joyce gets off the mark with a dab to leg.
Scorecard update
Ireland 89-1 from 15 overs (Ireland won toss)
Batsmen: Porterfield 42, Joyce 0
Fall of wickets: 89-1 (Stirling 42)
Bowling figures: Yadav 2-0-15-0, Shami 4-0-23-0, Sharma 3-0-18-0 Jadeja 3-0-20-0, Ashwin 3-0-12-1
Scorecard
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Jeremy Coney
Ex-New Zealand captain on BBC Test Match Special
"It was not the stroke Stirling wanted - he didn't follow through and that was an error of judgement. He knows he's missed out on a good opportunity because these are good conditions to bat on a fast outfield.
"Ireland have had to reassess their play because the boundaries have not come quite so easily against the spinners."
WICKET
Stirling c Rahane b Ashwin 42 (Ire 89-1)
That is a real shame for Ireland. Stirling has looked in full control but he lets himself down from the last ball of Ashwin's over with a mis-timed attempt to smash one down the ground that lands into the hands of Rahane, running in from long-off. In comes Ed Joyce to join his captain.
Ire 85-0 (Run-rate 6.07)
Porterfield ends the brief boundary drought by latching on to a short ball from Jadeja to hammer a four through the off side before Stirling goes even better with a mighty pull to land the 300th tournament six into the stand behind deep mid-wicket. This is quality stuff from the Irish.
Ire 73-0 (Porterfield 36, Stirling 32)
Ashwin is a wily customer. He angles an arm ball into Porterfield, which beats the bat and hits him on the pads before looping harmlessly away. Once again, the Ireland pair have only singles to feed on. Still, it is solid platform building.
Ire 69-0
Porterfield and Stirling do well to keep the scoreboard ticking in the absence of further boundaries. They add another five to the total.
64-0 (Stirling 26 Porterfield 33)
It is a double spin bowling change as Ravi Ashwin replaces Mohit. There is a almost a calamitous moment from the first ball as the Ireland pair show some hesitation on a single and offer up a run-out chance, which India are unable to capitalise on. Three runs from the over. You can see the Indian thinking here; if Ireland want to score runs they are going to have to force it now against the spin instead of using the pace.
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Ebony Rainford-Brent
Ex-England batter on BBC Test Match Special
"What I like about Dhoni's captaincy is that he's always aggressive and always trying to find ways to take a wicket. That's why spinners are on at both ends."
Ire 60-0
Here comes the spin. Ravindra Jadeja whirls away for his first over and it is a sign of Porterfield's confidence that he tries (albeit unsuccessfully) to reverse sweep the first delivery. The captain gets more joy from a simpler turn to square leg for two runs before adding another run with another poke to leg. Ireland will be delighted with this.
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Kalika Mehta
BBC Sport in Hamilton
"Another India match, another sold out venue. On a gorgeous sunny day in Hamilton a lot of locals who ventured down hoping to see some cricket have been disappointingly turned away as another large contingent of India fans take over Seddon Park.
"They're in good voice too, beating their drums and cheering on their surprisingly impressive bowlers. Having completely outnumbered their Irish counterparts, they're even good enough to give out the odd cheer when the Irish batsmen find the boundary rope."
Ire 57-0 (Porterfield 27, Stirling 25)
Stirling looks in fine fettle. He lofts the ball straight down the ground for four with a beautiful checked drive off Mohit. He then adopts a 'my work here is done' approach to the rest of the over, offering solid defence to some decent length stuff from the India bowler.
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Ebony Rainford-Brent
Ex-England batter on BBC Test Match Special
"It's a really good sign that so many players have chipped in and contributed to Ireland's performances. This is a perfect start and there has been real intent from both players.
"They are up for this and will cause India problems because they are not looking like taking a wicket. There's not much swing or pace."
Ire 53-0
Shami continues but he cannot prevent the early run of boundaries as Stirling moves into the 20s by getting underneath a cut shot to lift the ball over backward point for four. Meanwhile, it is developing into a colour-off between the two sets of fans in the stands.
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Tom Mackley: Who'd have thought that within the last 24 hours I would have discovered such strong Irish roots. #Engwho
Ire 47-0 (Porterfield 26, Stirling 16)
This outfield is lightning. Porterfield times another back foot shot through cover and once it is past the fielder he doesn't have a chance of catching it. The Ireland captain then gets a bit carried away with a wild waft at a wide ball outside off. He gets away with it, though. He does better with the last ball, which he gets under and hammers just short of the wide third-man boundary to claim three more runs.
Ire 39-0
Shami bowls another wide (this time from a very short ball that flies well over the head of Porterfield). Stirling's promising start continues with another back-foot punch that brings him four through the covers. This is Ireland's best start of the tournament, not least of all because it is the first time they have not lost a wicket within the first five overs. They will need every run they can get on this ground, against this opponent.
Ire 33-0 (Porterfield 18, Stirling 12)
We have a bowling change already for India as Mohit Sharma comes on for Yadav. The right-arm medium pacer starts well but is punished for falling a bit short with his last ball, which Stirling punches through cover for four off the back foot.
Six - Ire (Stirling 7, Porterfield 17)
Stirling gets in on the action with a pull off Shami that clears the boundary rope at mid-wicket for six. Not a bad way to get off the mark. He then claims a single off the last ball. This is a really good start from Ireland.
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Jeremy Coney
Ex-New Zealand captain on BBC Test Match Special
"This is a small ground and I've got a feeling 300 is not a huge score here."
Six - Ire 19-0 (Porterfield 16, Stirling 0)
Porterfield is not messing about. Yadav drops one short and the Ireland skipper is on to it in a flash to pull it over mid-wicket for six. He then times a checked drive superbly to push it down the ground and away from the chasing Ravi Ashwin for four. Porterfield hogs the strike again with a well-taken single from the last ball.
Ire 8-0 (Porterfield 5, Stirling 0)
Mohammed Shami, who took 3-35 against the West Indies and has nine wickets in the tournament so far, is Yadav's opening partner for India. He keeps MS Dhoni involved with two successive wides down leg to gift Ireland a couple of runs before Stirling has a big swing and a miss at a ball outside off.
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Jeremy Coney
Ex-New Zealand captain on BBC Test Match Special
"India's bowlers have not given batsmen much width in this tournament so far. They have bowled straight and also short, and they have taken wickets to bowl sides out.
"It's been an example of discipline over variety. I always thought bowling would be their Achilles heel but they have really improved over the last few months since coming to Australia."
Ire 5-0
Porterfield takes a look at Yadav's first three balls - all pretty straight - before unleashing at a wide one to slice it away over the slips for four. The skipper keeps strike with a quick single from the last ball. It is a decent start for Ireland and a sign of intent, especially if the Indian bowlers err with width.
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Ireland's openers are Will Porterfield and Paul Stirling. Umesh Yadav has the new ball for India from the Member's End. Here we go...
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The teams are out for the anthems. The Ireland boys are linked shoulder to shoulder, just as their anthem suggests. The Indian players provide a less tub-thumping rendition of their own anthem but the focus is clear to see. The banks are filling up - mainly with India fans, but you can be sure the emerald-clad Irish fans will make their presence felt.
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John Kenny
BBC Test Match Special
"Ireland will have to bat extremely well and it is good they won the toss because it gives them have half a chance. The feeling was that the India batting order was so powerful they might run away with it. But Ireland have been remarkable in this World Cup so far."
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John Kenny
BBC Test Match Special
"We have been trying to second-guess Ireland head coach Phil Simmons all the way through this tournament but he's beaten us every time. I haven't seen much of Stuart Thompson myself - let's see how he goes against the world champions."
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Ireland have made plenty of friends during this World Cup. Here is John Mooney with one of them.
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You can also follow all the action from this match on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra, where Test Match Special has just got under way. You can find that on your radio machine or via the audio link at the top of this page.
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Skill of the Irish
Ireland have done some magnificent things in this World Cup so far, not least of all that superb, dramatic victory over Zimbabwe in their previous match. But this is their biggest challenge to date. India are reigning champions, unbeaten so far and are overwhelming favourites to make it five out of five today.
However, not only is Ireland's spirit strong but they have some talented performers, and India showed some weaknesses with the bat against West Indies in their last game before MS Dhoni steered them home. Could the impossible happen?
The weather forecast
The weather forecast at Hamilton is good, with temperatures of 25C expected after a couple of days of indifferent weather.
Ireland skipper William Porterfield is not banking on the weather doing his side any favours against MS Dhoni's world champions.
"There's been a bit of rain around the last couple of days, but we will see what it is like and whether that will be a factor or not," he said.
Batsman's Paradise?
616 runs were scored in the South Africa-Zimbabwe game at Seddon Park on 15 February, and curator Karl Johnson says he expects the wicket to be another good batting track.
"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."
Captain's view
India's MS Dhoni: "We were looking to bowl first and it gives us the opportunity to chase a score. We are playing with the same side and want to go on as we have been doing. We want to keep a settled team."
Team news
India are unchanged for this game. Ireland make one change with spinner Andy McBrine missing out and 23-year-old Stuart Thompson coming in. He is a left-handed batsman and right-arm medium pacer with seven ODIs under his belt.
Toss
Ireland win the toss and will bat
The group so far
Ireland take on already-qualified India at Seddon Park, Hamilton knowing that a win, or even a point from a rain-abandoned match, would be enough to see them through to the quarter-finals.
Ireland have three wins from four, beating the West Indies, the United Arab Emirates and Zimbabwe and losing only to South Africa so far in Pool B.
India are already through to the knockout stages following wins over Pakistan, South Africa, the UAE and the West Indies.
Post update
Morning all. Welcome back to the Cricket World Cup, which for many of you will have a much more hollow ring to it than 24 hours ago.
We could fill the next 10 hours of this text commentary ranting about the shambles that has been England's embarrassing campaign. But we won't. Instead we'll be focussing on a true World Cup success story, a team on the verge of an unlikely spot in the last eight, who have shown their more prominent neighbours how this 50-over lark is meant to be done: Ireland.