India vs. Ireland: Winners and Losers from Cricket World Cup Match

India made it five from five on Tuesday, crushing Ireland by eight wickets at the 2015 Cricket World Cup in Hamilton to secure top spot in Pool B. 

After restricting Ireland to 259 in the game's first innings, MS Dhoni's men cruised to the required total on the back of Shikhar Dhawan's blistering hundred and his 174-run opening stand with Rohit Sharma. 

Thanks to that pair, India were able to coast to the finish line, with more than 13 overs still remaining when Virat Kohli struck the winning runs off Kevin O'Brien. 

Across the following slides, we take a look at some of the winners and losers from Tuesday's clash. 

Winner: Shikhar Dhawan

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After his impressive innings against Pakistan and South Africa to begin the tournament, India's Shikhar Dhawan continued his blistering form at this World Cup with a rapid 84-ball century against Ireland on Tuesday. 

Crashing 11 fours and five sixes, the left-hander was in full flow against the Irish, showcasing a stunning repertoire of strokes to lead MS Dhoni's side to yet another emphatic victory. 

Alongside Rohit Sharma, Dhawan helped India's opening pair to reach a 174-run partnership—the highest opening stand ever compiled by an Indian duo in World Cup history. 

And after struggling badly for so much of the Australian summer prior to this World Cup, Dhawan now sits second behind Kumar Sangakkara in the tournament's run-scoring charts. 

Winners: William Porterfield, Paul Stirling and Niall O'Brien

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Despite posting a rather moderate total of 259, Ireland were very well placed at one point during their innings when they reached 206 for three inside 40 overs. 

Led by half-centuries from William Porterfield and Niall O'Brien, and assisted by a brisk 42 from Paul Stirling, Ireland's top order managed to do what many of the star batsmen from Pakistan, South Africa and the West Indies couldn't in earlier matches, thriving against India's suddenly surging attack. 

Indeed, it was a strong platform laid by the top-order trio, given how prolific teams have been in the final 10 overs of an innings at this World Cup. 

From such a foundation, the men in green should have reached a total in the region of 300 but instead collapsed in the dying stages of the innings as the lower order failed to mount any pressure on India. 

Losers: Ireland's Lower Order

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A platform had been set. But they fell apart. 

Ireland's lower order will be bitterly disappointed after Tuesday's match. 

Of course, victory over a powerful Indian outfit was always unlikely, but the lower order's collapse in the final 10 overs in Hamilton meant the Irish didn't pose the challenge that they could have to MS Dhoni's team, had they cashed in on the foundation laid by William Porterfield, Paul Stirling and Niall O'Brien. 

Indeed, the way teams have blasted their way through the last 10 overs of an innings at this World Cup has highlighted how skewed the 50-over format has become in favour of the batsmen—particularly with only four fielders now allowed outside the inner circle. 

But instead of posting something near to—or in excess of—300, Ireland lost seven for 53 to be bowled out in the 49th over after being 206 for three. 

From No. 6 down No. 11, Ireland's scores read: one, six, two, 12, six and 11. 

It was an opportunity missed. 

Winner: Ravichandran Ashwin

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Throughout India's strong run in this World Cup, Ravichandran Ashwin has been a source of reliability for MS Dhoni, regularly stifling sides in the middle overs with his variations and impeccable length. 

On Tuesday in Hamilton, the off-spinner did it again, claiming two for 38 from his 10 overs to offset the expensive spells from Umesh Yadav, Mohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja. 

Unusually tall for a spinner, Ashwin is thriving on the higher-bouncing surfaces on offer in Australia and New Zealand and has proved difficult to hit both down the ground and toward the square boundaries. 

And after destroying South Africa and the United Arab Emirates, Tuesday's performance was another indicator that Ashwin will likely be a decisive figure in the finals of this World Cup. 

Winner: West Indies

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Thanks to India's win over Ireland, the West Indies are still very much alive at this World Cup.

Currently in fifth place in the Pool B standings, the Caribbean outfit would have found it hard to qualify for the quarter-finals if the Irish had caused an upset against India, given that they would have been in a straight tussle with Pakistan for fourth place but carrying a worse net run rate. 

Now, if the West Indies defeat the United Arab Emirates in their next game—and you'd assume they will do so handsomely—they are a good chance of progressing provided Pakistan's clash with Ireland isn't washed out.