India ease past Ireland to notch 9th straight World Cup win (AFP)

Shikhar Dhawan hit an aggressive century as defending champions India recorded their fifth victory in a row at the 2015 World Cup with a thumping eight-wicket win over Ireland in Hamilton on Tuesday. Chasing a modest 260-run target, Dhawan notched his second century of the tournament with an 85-ball 100 as India lost only two wickets in 36.5 overs on a batting-friendly Seddon Park pitch. This latest victory meant India, yet to lose at this World Cup and already into the quarter-finals, were guaranteed to finish on top of Pool B ahead of their last group game against Zimbabwe in Auckland on Saturday. Ireland, meanwhile, will likely need a win against Pakistan in their last Pool match in Adelaide on Sunday to reach the last eight.