INDIA took a comfortable eight-wicket victory over Ireland in their final Group A match in the World Twenty20 at Trent Bridge before the Super Eight.

Ireland were put in to bat by India captain MS Dhoni, whose side comfortably surpassed their opponent’s total of 112-8 inside 16 overs, with the loss of just two wickets.

Ireland were left to bemoan the fact that they were missing their two most influential players in Niall O’Brien and Trent Johnston, who were each sidelined due to injury as they were restricted by the Indian attack.

Zaheer Khan was the man-of-the-match following a superb spell of controlled, aggressive seam bowling, finishing with figures of 4-19 off his three overs.

The match was reduced to 18 overs-a-side due to a damp outfield after rain delayed the start of play.

Andrew White top-scored for Ireland at number seven with 29, as Khan caused havoc with their top and middle order, while spinner Pragyan Ojha took 2-18.

At one stage in their innings Ireland were 28-4 as Kevin O’Brien saw his stumps scattered by Ojha, but the lower order recovered well to salvage some pride for Phil Simmons’s side.

India openers Gautam Gambhir and Rohit Sharma made serene progress as they compiled a partnership of 77 for the first wicket.

Gambhir was eventually dismissed by left-arm spinner Regan West for 37, while Sharma continued on his merry way until the end, and was left unbeaten on 52.

Sharma played the Ireland bowling attack with consummate ease, and was joined by India captain MS Dhoni, who was clearly dying to get out to the middle after the extended wait.

Dhoni made a swift 14, including a few lusty blows into the leg side, before he was caught at fine leg by Jeremy Bray while attempting an ambitious pull shot off the bowling of Kyle McCallan.

Both sides progress to the Super Eight stage of the tournament after winning their opening matches in the group – both against Bangladesh – where defending champions India are set to face England. (Eurosport)
IRELAND innings
W. Porterfield c Pathan b Khan 5
J. Bray b Khan 0
G. Wilson b Harbhajan Singh 19
A. Botha c Pathan b Khan 8
K. O’Brien b Ojha 2
J. Mooney c Yuvraj Singh b Ojha 19
A. White c wkp. Dhoni b Khan 29
R. West run-out 1
A. Cusack not out 12
K. McCallan not out 9
Extras: (lb-6, w-2) 8
Total: (for 8 wickets, 18 overs) 112
Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-9, 3-17, 4-28, 5-48, 6-72.
Bowling: Pathan 3-0-22-0 (w-1), Khan 3-0-19-4 (w-1), Sharma 3-0-18-0, Yuvraj Singh 1-0-4-0, Ojha 4-0-18-2, Harbhajan Singh 4-0-25-1.

INDIA innings
G. Gambhir c Rankin b West 37
R. Sharma not out 52
M. Dhoni c Bray b McCallan 14
Y. Singh not out 3
Extras: (lb-4, w-3) 7
Total: (2 wickets, 15.3 overs) 113
Fall of wickets: 1-77, 2-100.
Bowling: Rankin 4-0-28-0, K. O’Brien 2-0-17-0, Cusack 2-0-13-0, West 4-0-23-1 (w-2), McCallan 3.3-0-28-1 (w-1),
Points: India 2, Ireland 0.