For Ireland, India are big

Ireland’s poster-boy Kevin O'Brien, who scored the fastest World Cup hundred off 50 balls, on Friday said an upset victory over England had not made his team lose sight of India's batting and bowling prowess.

Ireland’s poster-boy Kevin O'Brien, who scored the fastest World Cup hundred off 50 balls, Friday said an upset victory over England had not made his team lose sight of India's batting and bowling prowess.

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“We are well aware of India’s strengths in batting and bowling, with world class openers Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar and world class bowlers Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh. No rival team can take them for granted,” O'Brien, who turned 27 Friday, told reporters after a gruelling practice session at the National Cricket Academy.

O'Brien, who was declared Man of the Match for his match-winning 113 against England, said the Irish players are sparing no effort in preparing for the big match against India. “Though we came here after losing to Bangladesh narrowly (by 27 runs), our dramatic victory over the English gave us tremendous confidence.”