India vs Australia ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 semi-final: Presence of fans at Sydney will give India a chance

Indians have flocked the stadiums, supporting their side in all the matches till now, giving the cricketers the feeling of home. Sudatta Mukherjee writes why Indian fans will give their team a fair chance in the second semi-final between against Australia at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

As a table-tennis player during my University days, I always used to find other players wanting to play at their own campus to playing away. When we toured different Universities, the atmosphere used to get to many. The cheers and jeers could change the way a player played, for worse or better. Body languages changed. When the same opposition players toured our Universities, one could sense the tables turn.

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It is a known fact that each and every team love playing at the own backyard, not because of the feeling of being at home, but having a large crowd to cheer for them and motivate them. Things obviously get more heated up when the stage is as grand as the World Cup.

The Indian fans, or Swami Army as it is known, have flocked stadiums in Australia and New Zealand in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. From the opening encounter against Pakistan to the crucial match against South Africa to the quarter-final against Bangladesh, Indian fans have taken over the stadiums, over and over again. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: SCHEDULE & MATCH DETAILS

Following their win against Pakistan in the quarter-final, Australian skipper Michael Clarke urged the home fans to colour SCG in ‘Gold’. Thus started the campaign to urge the Australian crowd take over the SCG. However, with Indian fans around, everything is possible.

The match will involve the home side pitted against one of the most popular teams in the World Cup. Australia should not forget the way Indian fans flocked the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in the match against South Africa. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: Complete Coverage

There is already a sense of doubt in the Australian camp (that has probably made them ask their supporters to come in huge numbers for the semi-final at SCG). They know the power and vocal strength of the Indian fans; they know how the Indian fans can be a support for a team which has had an unbeaten streak of 11 matches in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. Top 10 batsmen in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015

James Faulkner reminded the world of the last time India played at Sydney. Clarke and David Warner’s requests to paint Sydney ‘Gold’ have already excited the Indian fans. The Swami Army has already announced that, “It will be very loud, very intimidating. It will feel like an away game for them. The drummers will be going around the ground and people will be dancing, singing and cheering every run India score, every wicket they take. People will be going nuts.” Top 10 bowlers in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015

One should not forget the image of Virat Kohli being jeered by Australian fans at Sydney during the Test series in January. It was same place where Kohli had shown the middle-finger in their previous tour. While it will be just another match for the Indian contingent, for Australia, it will be a battle of nerves.  Top 10 fielders in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015

Faulkner has already felt and spoken about it. “The last time we played India here, it was a washout. The fans were unbelievable supporting India and I suppose everyone is excepting that,” he said.

All Indian supporters need to do is raise the volume even further and increase temperature further than what it was at MCG against South Africa. After all, it will be the semi-final against the home side and the race to enter their second consecutive World Cup final. Australia will have a lot more to lose at SCG than India. Can Clarke and co. win it? Top 10 wicketkeepers in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015

(Sudatta Mukherjee is a reporter with CricketCountry. Other than writing on cricket, she spends penning random thoughts on her blog. When she is not writing, you will catch her at a movie theatre or watching some English television show on her laptop. Her Twitter handle is @blackrosegal)