Yuvraj curtails Irish cause

Yuvraj Singh picked up five wickets as giant-killers Ireland were bowled out for 207 in their World Cup Group B match against India in Bangalore.

Yuvraj brought up his best World Cup bowling figures of five for 31, while Zaheer Khan claimed three wickets as Ireland struggled to replicate the fireworks of their win over England against a disciplined Indian attack.

Captain William Porterfield scored a workmanlike 75, but lack of major contributions elsewhere meant Ireland were bowled out inside 48 overs.

Bowling first after winning the toss, Zaheer gave India a terrific start by dismissing Paul Stirling and Ed Joyce in successive overs to leave Ireland on nine for two.

Porterfield and Niall O'Brien then steadied the ship as Ireland moved to 81 in 20 overs. But a piece of brilliance on the field from Virat Kohli broke the stand six overs later when Niall O'Brien, on 46, was caught short of his crease while running for a quick single.

New batsman Andrew White lasted just 10 balls - caught-behind by Mahendra Singh Dhoni off Yuvraj - and Ireland's hopes were pinned on Kevin O'Brien, the hero of Ireland's sensational victory last time out.

But Yuvraj dashed the visiting team's hopes by having the big-hitting right-hander caught and bowled for nine as Ireland slipped to 147 for five in 35 overs.

The left-arm spinner then removed Porterfield (75), who drove an innocuous ball uppishly to the waiting hands of extra cover. The seventh-wicket stand between Alex Cusack and John Mooney could not go beyond 18 as Yuvraj picked up his fourth wicket by trapping the latter lbw.

The all-rounder completed his spell in style by dismissing Cusack (24) in his 10th over and became the first left-arm spinner to pick up five wickets in a World Cup match.

Trent Johnston and George Dockrell then took Ireland past 200 in the 47th over, but Dhoni took a brilliant diving catch to see off Dorckrell as Zaheer picked up his third wicket. Munaf Patel finished things off by having Johnston lbw for 17 as the visitors folded up with 13 balls remaining.