Another India game, another Dhawan ton

Shikhar Dhawan hit an aggressive century as defending champions India recorded their fifth victory in a row at the World Cup with a thumping eight-wicket win over Ireland in Hamilton on Tuesday.

Chasing a modest 260-run target, Dhawan raised his second century of the tournament off 84 balls as India lost only two wickets in only 36.5 overs on a batting-friendly Seddon Park pitch.

This latest victory meant India, yet to lose at this World Cup and already into the quarterfinals, were guaranteed to finish on top of Pool B ahead of their last group game against Zimbabwe in Auckland on Saturday.

Ireland, meanwhile, will likely need a win against Pakistan in their last pool match in Adelaide on Sunday to reach the last eight.

"We have put in a lot of yards in the last few weeks. It is all about being fresh for Pakistan. If you can't get up for these games you won't be up for any," said Ireland captain William Porterfield.

Pakistan, Ireland and South Africa, who all have six points in five matches, will vie with the West Indies (four points) for the three remaining quarterfinal spots on offer from Pool B.

Ireland's Niall O'Brien scored a run-a-ball 75 while Porterfield made a solid 93-ball 67 in Ireland's 259 all out in 49 overs.

India proved their strength in batting yet again as Dhawan and Rohit Sharma (64) put on their team's best World Cup opening stand of 174 against a struggling Irish attack.

Dhawan, who stroked 137 in the win over South Africa, completed his eighth one-day international hundred with a single off Kevin O'Brien to square leg. He reached three figures off just 84 balls.

But one ball later Dhawan fell to a loose shot off Stuart Thompson.

In all, Dhawan hit 11 fours and five sixes.

Rohit was dismissed when he played on to Thompson after hitting three sixes and as many boundaries off 66 deliveries.

Earlier, Ireland failed to capitalise on a good solid start after winning the toss.