India brace for Ireland challenge

BANGALORE, India (AP):

India will be hoping to bury their bowling problems tomorrow when the co-hosts take on an Ireland side that will be buoyed by their shock victory over England.

Considered the leading favourites in home conditions before the tournament, India have conceded plenty of runs in their opening two matches in Group B.

They were involved in a thrilling last-ball tie against England after amassing 338 at Bangalore's Chinnaswamy Stadium last Sunday. The bowling had been no more impressive either in their opening match in Dhaka, where India scored 370-4 but allowed Bangladesh to hit 283-9 in reply.

Looking to exploit weakness

Ireland, who lost to Bangladesh by 27 runs, will be looking to exploit any further weaknesses after pulling off one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history on Wednesday with their three-wicket win against England.

Kevin O'Brien, who smashed the fastest World Cup century ever to help Ireland carve out the victory, was relishing the prospect of playing India in front of a full house.

"We are looking forward to the match because it is not every day that you play in front of 50,000 spectators,'' O'Brien told reporters yesterday. "There is no pressure at all and it will be great to see people come out to watch us.''

O'Brien indicated that Ireland's preparations were focusing on India's much-vaunted batsmen, who have excelled at the tournament so far.

Virender Sehwag and Virat Kohli smashed 175 and 100 not out, respectively, against Bangladesh, while Sachin Tendulkar struck 120 versus England. Others like Gautam Gambhir and Yuvraj Singh have also shown good form.

"India's batting line-up is the best in the World Cup,'' O'Brien said. "We are not going to do anything different but will look at areas we can bowl at. We will come up with some plans during team meetings.''

Won't underestimate bowling

O'Brien, who scored 113 off only 63 balls against England, said the Indian bowling would not be underestimated.

"Zaheer Khan, Munaf Patel, Harbhajan (Singh), (Piyush) Chawla, they are all very good bowlers. Their bowling attack has world-class performers,'' he said.

However, the bowling has been a problem for India so far, especially filling the place for a fourth specialist bowler.

Paceman Shantakumaran Sreesanth and leg-spinner Chawla have been unimpressive in one outing each, and only the return of pace bowler Ashish Nehra from a back injury is likely to solve the problem.