Ireland skipper William Porterfield on Tuesday said India made it look easy with the bat as they beat his side with eight wickets and 79 balls to spare in a Pool B encounter at the Seddon Park here.
Ireland at one point of time looked liked getting a score of in excess of 300. But they were pulled back by pace spearhead Mohammed Shami (3-41) and spinners Ravindra Jadeja (1-45) and Ravichandran Ashwin (2/38). Ireland were eventually bowled out for 259. India chased the total down quite easily, losing only two wickets en route.
"You have to give a lot of credit to them, kept fighting and coming back, and made it look very easy with the bat. (Ashwin) bowled very well, mixed his pace very well, there was a bit of grip as well. We just lost a couple of wickets and that set us back," Porterfield said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
The skipper added there are a lot of positives that they have taken from the game, and is hopeful of beating Pakistan in a "winner takes it all" game in Adelaide on March 15.
"There's a lot of good things to take especially the first innings. It's all about being mentally fresh for that game in Adelaide, it's a winner takes all for us," he concluded.