Ireland's maiden World Cup campaign was very unlike the minnow tag that they are saddled with. Two wins - against Pakistan and Bangladesh - and a thrilling tie with Zimbabwe, meant they got more points than India. They will need a heavy dose of luck to repeat that performance and others in the group have to perform below par. Ireland does not have much experience of subcontinent pitches, except for the odd series in Bangladesh and that could be a crucial factor for the men in green.

William Porterfield /Captain

Ireland's most experienced batsman and a very effective left-hander, Porterfield played a starring role in Ireland's win over Bangladesh - a team they will play this time around too - in the 2007 World Cup. His 85 earned Ireland a victory in their penultimate match of the cup.

Add five ODI hundreds to that performance and you begin to see why Porterfield has been handed the reins of the team. Last season in the World Cricket League, Porterfield ended as the tournament's second-highest scorer with an average of 110.66 in five fruitful matches. With the addition of Ed Joyce to Ireland's squad, some pressure will be relieved off his shoulders. 

Follow Ireland 

Feb 25 VS Bangladesh 
Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur

Mar 2 VS England 
M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore 

Mar 6 VS India 
M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore

Mar 11 VS West Indies 
Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali 

Mar 15 VS South Africa 
Eden Gardens, Kolkata

Mar 18 VS Netherlands 
Eden Gardens, Kolkata