#360view: How India can beat Australia in Cricket World Cup semi-final

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  • Looking glum: Indian vice-captain Virat Kholi needs to rediscover his early World Cup form against Australia.

    Team India have evolved in Australia and overcome the disappointment of the defeat suffered in the Test series and Tri-series Down Under before the Cricket World Cup 2015. A world-class batting order, improved bowling unit and perhaps the best ODI captain in cricket right now in MS Dhoni has led to a deserved place in the semi-finals for India.

    Despite winning all seven games, however, India are yet to face a gritty and tough opponent in the tournament. Having thrashed Pakistan and South Africa, India cruised past Ireland and UAE, while their most competitive match was against Zimbabwe, when their batting depth was put to the test chasing a huge total.

    Now the reigning champions face four-time winners Australia, who tormented and tortured India’s inexperienced squad during the summer. Ahead of the showpiece at the Sydney Cricket Ground, the mind games had already begun regarding the spin-friendly condition of the pitch. Barring the first quarter-final between South Africa and Sri Lanka, teams have managed to pile up enormous amounts of runs – including a total of 408 by South Africa against West Indies.

    So what factors will be key for India to advance to a final showdown with New Zealand?

    TIME FOR KOHLI, RAHANE TO FIR

    Ajinkya Rahane has been heavily scrutinised for not grabbing opportunities on the biggest stage. Coming in at No. 4, the right-hander is probably India’s weak link in the batting order and the only one to miss out on a century so far at this World Cup. A quick-fire 79 against South Africa has been his only credible performance, with Rahane failing to live up to expectation – scoring just 85 in six innings, including a duck against Pakistan.

    Virat Kohli, too, has been disappointing. Since a match-winning century against Pakistan in the opening match, Kohli has failed to convert good starts into massive scores and with totals of 46, 33*, 33, 44* 38 and 3, India’s vice-captain needs to turn up the heat and adopt his customary aggressive batting approach, even against the mighty Aussies. Since February 2012, Kohli has scored only 94 runs in 6 innings on Australian pitches, with his highest being 31, averaging a lowly 18.80. This has to change.

    SCG PITCH MADE FOR SPIN

    Australians were hoping for some grass on the track ahead of their crucial semi-final game against spin-kings India but the sub-continental giants will more than happy if the pitch remains as dry as it has throughout the World Cup. Sri Lanka crashed out after being stunned by South Africa’s unusual spin attack and the Aussies may now feel as if they are playing away from home. Australia failed to read the wicket against Sri Lanka as nearly 700 runs were scored on a flat track with less or no spin at all.

    MS Dhoni, who reads pitches better than any other captain, has R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Suresh Raina to pitch in nearly 25-30 overs very quickly, while Australia have to take a gamble on spinner Xavier Doherty and compromise a pacer. Talking about pace and bounce, Australia’s Mitchell Johnson and Mitchell Starc are well aware of India’s vulnerability to swing early on, especially the top-order.

    Meanwhile, as 44,000 fans gear up to watch their heroes in one of the biggest knockout games in recent times, rain threatens to play spoil sport on Thursday. It has been pouring throughout the day on Tuesday and it is expected to continue until late Wednesday which could affect the ground and pitch conditions.

    KEEPING A COOL HEAD

    India and Australia have always had their share of tension and aggression over the years and it may well boil over when these two rivals battle it out for a place in the World Cup final. Since late November, players have had ample time to weigh each other up and examine their strengths and weaknesses.

    Described as part of the game, the Aussies openly resort to sledging to test the opposition’s patience in crunch situations. During the Test and Tri-series, players on both sides were sanctioned and warned that sledging would not be tolerated at the World Cup. Australia opener David Warner and India’s pair Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan were all fined by the ICC after a row during the Test series, while pacer Starc was given a warning by the officials after his aggressive behaviour. The rivalry moved on to the Tri-series as Warner was fined yet again for a verbal altercation with Rohit Sharma.

    Despite all the warnings, sanctions and fines there were hardly any signs of backing down as Wahab Riaz and Shane Watson were also fined for a verbal spat during Australia and Pakistan’s quarter-final at the Adelaide Oval.

    Australian legend Shane Warne has been giving his countrymen tips on how to combat India's spin bowlers.

    KEY STATS

    * India became the first team to win the World Cup on home soil in 2011, while Australia have won it four times and reached finals on two other occasions – but never at home.

    * Since 1980, India have lost 12 of their 14 encounters against Australia at the SCG with one no result.

    * Since 2010, Australia have lost only twice in 12 games played at the SCG. Both defeats came against Sri Lanka. 

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