INDIA VS IRELAND- Pre match discussion

[Sir john]

Strangers embraced; total strangers, Indian and Irish, without inhibition at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. It was almost as though they'd been waiting to exhale for the longest time - for 20-odd overs, when the unthinkable first appeared within reach once Kevin O'Brien began his battering. As John Mooney finally despatched Jimmy Anderson to the recesses beyond the midwicket boundary, the hundreds gathered at the ground let go all at once. As the Ireland team celebrated mid-pitch in a raw burst of emotions, so did their fans, who had not given up when Ireland were 111 for 5. They had dared to dream along with O'Brien, they had willed Mooney on, and finally, they had believed in Trent Johnston. Their reward was what one delirious fan called "the biggest sporting achievement in the history of Ireland." How special was it? "Come on, this one's against the English!" In the crazed moments after the historic win, standard reporting practice went out of the window. There was no point in asking for names or back stories; the fans, fuelled by whatever was available inside the ground, were in seventh heaven, unable to comprehend the manner and magnitude of the achievement. "It doesn't matter if we get beaten by everyone else in this World Cup. What matters is that we have beaten the English," one fan said. Wednesday's win came in the backdrop of the ICC reaffirming its decision to cut the next World Cup down to ten teams and, though it's been a sore point with Ireland and other Associate nations, it didn't seem to matter a jot today. "We don't want to play Tests. We don't want to do anything. The World Cup is over for us. This is it," shouted a tall, Boyd Rankin lookalike. Some supporters had almost given up after seeing Ireland stutter early in their mammoth chase but they decided to wait as long as Kevin O'Brien was batting. "We had decided that we'd leave if Kevin O'Brien got out. But he didn't. Oh, he just didn't get out. He just kept going on and on. It's a massive innings. It's just fantastic," said Rankin-lookalike's companion. Keeping them company was a smattering of locals, who were cheering for the underdog and were soon turned into believers. Suddenly, what was a leisurely outing with the family turned into fierce rooting for the Irish. Singles were loudly cheered, boundaries drowned in the cacophony - as much as a few thousand could muster - usually reserved for Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar. When a close second run was attempted, there were frantic cries of "beda, beda" ("don't" in Kannada). Alex Cusack's run-out drew groans, the eerie silence that accompanied O'Brien's was deafening. The pre-match prediction was that it would all end in tears. It did - but tears of joy when the winning boundary was hit and more of them when an emotional O'Brien accepted his Man-of-the-Match award. Soon they dispersed into the night, and as they made their way out of Chinnaswamy Stadium and into the depths of Cubbon Park, they thanked the Indians among the crowd for their support. But they did so with one caveat. An elderly Irishman, his eyes glistening with pride, said it all. "The Indian fans are good and friendly. But after today, watch out India. You are next." The Green Army marches on.

[vvvslaxman]

You are free to beat us :--D . Bangladesh fans will be gutted if that were to happen lol

[gaurav92]

We will pwn them ruthlessly and their fans will go back in the closet :hahaha:

[TheWall]

Best of luck to Ireland. :winky:

[Watson87]

Ireland's got no chance against us. We have better spinners than England, England missed a thing or two, Ireland struggled against Bangla spinners. Ashwin should be picked instead of Chwla. Play two spinners and Yousuf's part time will be more than enough to defeat Ireland. But, good to see an Irish victory, showed England their real place in ODI cricket. Once a minnow always a minnow:D

[Ultimate_Game]

If it happens it happens. I won't be too gutted if it does happen but don't think Ireland will be able to catch us with our pants down so soon after the Eng game. We are generally pretty good just after getting a kick up our ass :smiley:

[Sir john]

irish did't know what they are saying. :mad:

[b555]

sachin tendulkar says hi

[gaurav92]

^:WTF:

[Jersey #10]

Irish are going to receive the pwnage of their lifetime when they face India.

[ganeshran]

Abe kumble, bangalore ki pitch ko thoda turn karao bhai

[Zelig]

My loyalty will be tested..got some Irish blood in me :nervous: Ireland will not lose by 200 runs, or ten wickets = no pwnage :beee:

[pranitha64]

nice post.......

[Deleted_User_1]

If India is not careful, they could perish to the Irish too! This would be especially true if India bat first. Sure we would post a big total. But with the fielding and bowling woes of India, watch out if the Irish catch fire like today. Although O'Brien scored a magical innings, they had plenty of support from the lower middle order and all of them appeared cool under pressure. I think the Irish will pull if off. And then we will have a tournament!

[jf1gp_1]

:hysterical:

[Deleted_User_1]

Laugh all you want, but save some tears for after the game!!!!

[panesarv]

I am amazed at the quality of the Irish lower order!

[ganeshran]

turning pitch, turning pitch...

[jf1gp_1]

Laugh all you want' date=' but save some tears for after the game!!!![/quote'] :hysterical::hysterical: you truly are a funny man

[b555]

any team thats not careful will perish , for gods sake stop opening threads so much praising off and stating the obvious :mad: