India beat Ireland by eight wickets at the Cricket World Cup on Tuesday, remaining unbeaten after five matches to clinch its place atop Pool B while stalling Ireland’s celebrated push for a place in the tournament quarterfinals. Shikhar Dhawan scored 100 and Rohit Sharma hit 64 in a 174-run opening partnership – its best at a World Cup – as India chased down Ireland’s 259 with 13.1 overs remaining. India will stay at atop the pool regardless of the outcome of its last group match against Zimbabwe. Ireland must now beat Pakistan in the last match of the pool round at Adelaide on Sunday, or at least take a point from that game, to have any chance of progressing to the knockout rounds. – Hamilton, Mar 10 (AP/UNB)
