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'Ireland game was a test we needed'
After extending their unbeaten run in the World Cup with a win over Ireland, India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Sunday said his side is improving with every single match and also praised the Irish players for their fighting spirit and outstanding fielding.
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India beat Ireland by five wickets to take the top spot in their group B but the hosts had to work had as Ireland made the host players sweat for the win.
"It was needed (tough test). The scoreboard read but it was close to 240. Their bowlers were well supported by their fielders. Everyone got a chance to bat, everyone was under pressure, and when you are chasing against Ireland it adds to pressure. It was very good exposure for the batsmen," Dhoni said after the win at M Chinnaswamy stadium.
'An added 40 runs would have been interesting'
"We are showing signs of improvement in bowling. Our fielding will be the same, our exceptional fielders can get better but our slow fielders will remain the same. It's important to peak at right time as it is long tournament," he said.
Ireland skipper William Porterfield the result could have been different had they scored about 40 more runs.
"We got ourselves in a great position after losing two early wickets, till the run-out of Niall (O'Brien). An extra 40 runs would have been interesting. We are a fighting side, we got three early wickets, there was spin in the pitch," he said.
Porterfield also remained upbeat about their chances in the matches against the other big teams.
"There are three games left, there's no reason we can't beat any of those teams," he said.