Our bowlers have really stepped up: MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni praised his bowlers after the 8-wicket win over Ireland

Hamilton, March 10 (IANS) Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni said on Tuesday that it has been a remarkable difference how the Indian bowlers have stepped on the gas in the cricket World Cup as they bowled out a team for the fifth consecutive time in as many matches in the ongoing tournament.

After a disastrous Test and tri-series against Australia and England, the bowlers faced a lot of criticism as they failed to pick up wickets regularly. But they turned the tide in the quadrennial event. On Tuesday in a Pool B match, Ireland were bowled out for 259 in 49 overs.

"One of the coaches was telling me (about India taking 50 wickets in last five matches). It's a good stat to have. It means the bowlers are really doing the job for us. It's a remarkable difference, they've really stepped up," Dhoni said at the post-match presentation ceremony.

"Not just the three fast bowlers, the spinners as well, and whenever we've had to use part-timers they've done a good job."

India had no problems in chasing down the score courtesy knocks from openers Shikhar Dhawan (100) and Rohit Sharma (64). They eased past the total with eight wickets and 79 balls to spare.

The skipper said they lacked intensity in the Tri-series and the Tests. He added that the team is a happy outfit now especially after winning nine World Cup games on the trot, and hopes to carry forward this momentum to the other games.

"We have been here for over four months. We had to sacrifice somewhere, and that was the intensity in the ODI series, especially after the effort we had put in during the Test series. I knew it would be back when the World Cup started," he said.

"Even this game was a challenge, a lot of them are jetlagged and sleep-deprived. I'm glad all of us have stepped up. It feels good. Everyone is happy we have been able to win nine consecutive games. We just have to take the momentum forward," said the 33-year-old.