Ireland make India huff and puff to victory

Bull-dog spirit made India virtually huff and puff to victory in Bangalore

Ireland make India huff and puff to victory

Bull-dog spirit made India virtually huff and puff to victory in Bangalore

In the scorebook, a five-wicket win with more than four overs to spare would appear facile, but India are unlikely to forget the struggle they had to undergo to beat the doughty Irish. Post-match, skipper M S Dhoni called Ireland a 'powerful team', which was fair acknowledgement of their performance on Sunday, and also the promise they hold for the future.

Ireland defended a modest total with admirable gusto and ambition. At the break, 208 to win seemed a cakewalk for the strong Indian line-up though the pitch was sluggish and afforded enough turn for slow bowlers. But that was to change quickly as the bowlers and fielders put so much pressure that every run had to be eked out.

Ireland were unlucky to lose Trent Johnson, who had taken two wickets in his first spell, to injury but that did not seem to faze their gumption and optimism. Other bowlers stepped in to take on the onus of making India earn this win the hard way.u00a0 Indeed, all things considered, the Irish attack seemed more disciplined and probing. The pace bowlers bowled a terrific line and length, and among spinners 18-year-old Dockrell, who was born after Tendulkar began his international career, were brave enough to seduce batsmen into mistakes by giving the ball generous loop.

Skipper Porterfield, who had made a fine half century, was quite outstanding as captain too, ringing in smart bowling changes and setting fields that the Indian batsmen found difficult to penetrate. This could also be seen in a different perspective, which is that the fielders were so agile and committed that they dived and chased to save every run.

What was most impressive about Ireland was how adroitly and easily they had adapted to the pitch and circumstances in the two matches they've played in the past week.

In the sensational victory over England a few days ago, they were all flamboyance and derring-do; yesterday, they engaged themselves in a battle of attrition as demanded by the conditions.

What this suggests is a team on the rise in international cricket, even if they don't make the cut in this World Cup. On the other hand, it could be that I am speaking too much
too early.

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