India vs Australia, ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Semi-Final 2 Preview: Teams gear up for potentially spicy clash

Sydney: The stage is set for a high-voltage encounter as India and Australia battle it out in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 semi-final at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). The tournament favourites take on the defending champions in an interesting setting. While the game is played on Australia’s territory, India expect an overwhelming wave of support from the crowd. On the field of play though, both sides would fight tooth and nail to make it to the final against New Zealand at Melbourne. Live Scorecard: India vs Australia, ICC World Cup 2015 Semi-Final 2 at Sydney

From a distance, the pitch seems to be a good batting surface. Traditionally, the SCG wicket is a bit slow when compared to some other surfaces in Australia, which will bring Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja in play. Australia have not played a spinner for a while. At the nets on the eve of the game, Shane Warne came in to provide his insights into the game to the Australians. Xavier Doherty also had a long spell in the nets. Will Australia risk bringing him in? Remember, he played his last game at the SCG and conceded 60 runs in his seven overs. Given the fact that the Indians are good players of spin, Australia would back their strengths and go in with their pace battery. READ: India vs Australia ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 semi-final: Presence of fans at Sydney will give India a chance

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India have majorly had an unchanged side through the tournament and it is unlikely that they would make any changes. This could be the Indian batting unit’s biggest test as they would be up against Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood. Starc in particular has been in terrific touch and presents a challenge to India. If India play him well, they would have done themselves a world of good in this game. Similarly, Australia will be wary of the Indian pace attack, which has lifted its game in this tournament. Mohammed Shami has been India’s main bowler and bowled at full tilt in the nets on the eve of the game. READ: Shane Warne trains with Australia ahead of ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 semi-final against India

Going into this game, there is a lot of talk about two things: short bowling and sledging. In anticipation of Australia’s bowling strategies, Suresh Raina faced tennis balls in the nets in the lead-up to this game. Steven Smith has warned the Indians against bowling short. What one can say is that both sides have used that as a good weapon and it could come in play on Thursday. Top 10 fielders in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015

With the intense rivalry between these two sides, raging through the summer preceding the World Cup, one could expect a few words being exchanged. Michael Clarke said ahead of the game, “There is always a lot of talk about (sledging), doesn’t matter who we’re playing, there is going to be talk, Australian team versus somebody. There is going to be sledging, there is going to be banter. It’s really important for us to focus on what’s important, and that is playing our best cricket. It’s not what you say, it’s what you do.” Top 10 batsmen in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015

While Rohit Sharma said that it is important to focus on game-plans, he too said that there may be a few face-offs. “It has been my belief, we need to stick to our game plan which is coming hard, and if there is a bit of banter going around, so be it. But there will be times where you’ll see a lot of bowlers and fielders getting right in their faces. Yeah, there will be times. But as a team, we have to stick to our game plan and try to execute what we’ve been doing for the last seven games,” he said. Top 10 wicketkeepers in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015

Considering the recent India-Australia encounters, it could be a spicy affair at Sydney. India have not beaten Australia through the summer and here is their chance to change that on the big day in front of adoring fans. On the other hand, Australia would go in, motivated to bring glory to their country on home soil. The hosts may have the slight advantage in this game. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: Complete Coverage

Teams:

India: MS Dhoni (c&wk), Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Stuart Binny, Akshar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Mohit Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

Australia: Michael Clarke (c), David Warner, Aaron Finch, Steven Smith, George Bailey, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Shane Watson, Brad Haddin (wk), Xavier Doherty, James Faulkner, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Johnson.

Time: 09:00 IST | 03:30 GMT

(Nishad Pai Vaidya is a Correspondent with CricketCountry and anchor for the site’s YouTube Channel. His Twitter handle is @nishad_45)