Many positives from India's sailing over Ireland

It was clinical, the reports may say. It may also say how the Indian top order batting dwindled at the minnow's slightest provocation. It might say how the specialist spinners returned a dud while a part-timer picked up a 5-wkt haul. But it will definitely say, India staved off a spirited challenge of Ireland to sail over them.

It was clinical, the reports may say. It may also say how the Indian top order batting dwindled at the minnow's slightest provocation. It might say how the specialist spinners returned a dud while a part-timer picked up a 5-wkt haul. But it will definitely say, India staved off a spirited challenge of Ireland to sail over them.

But India's laboured victory over Ireland was a story of the Indian team's resilience in this world cup. There are problems in the bowling, there are problems in the batting, but as a team this team is giving support to each other, which was evident today. The last two matches India's top order gave India the cushion. Today, when the top order failed, the middle order, spearheaded by Yuvraj Singh. He ganged up with Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar, Dhoni and lastly Yusuf Pathan to provide Indian the much needed boost when it mattered. Yuvraj's fighting gritty knock of an unbeaten 50 characterised his return to form with the bat. Sachin (38), Virat (34), Dhoni (34) all got good starts but just couldn't build on them. It was a difficult wicket to bat second, Yusuf (30 off 23 balls) showed any wicket is good for him to clear the boundary ropes.

Earlier, the ghost of Kevin O'Brien's whirlwind innings against England was laid to rest by the Indian bowling department. Zaheer Khan started the Irish downslide with 2 quick wickets at the start. Yuvraj, this time with the ball then took care of the Irish middle order with a 5/31 haul. Pity that the specialist spinners - Harbhajan and Chawla - went wicket less, but that's the nature of the play. You give extra attention to the specialists while take chances against the part timers and thereby open your gates. Yuvraj just capitalised on this opportunity and tasted success.

That's what India is taking home from this game. Ireland was a worry. The positive was brought out in the ground today as the middle order churned out good deal of energy. Lets hope this stays till April 2nd.