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.

Tom in London: Even England would be slight favourites to win from here.

Steady on, Tom...

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.

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."

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.

Image source, Getty Images

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...

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."

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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."

Listen to Test Match Special commentary by clicking on the audio icon.

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.

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."

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.

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."

Listen to Test Match Special commentary by clicking on the audio icon.

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

Listen to Test Match Special commentary

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).

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."