Defending champions India are high on confidence ahead of their semi-final clash against co-host Australia. With seven back-to-back wins in World Cup 2015 so far the momentum is surely with the Men in Blue and MS Dhoni’s men will be going into the match with aim of taming Australia in their own backyard.
On the other hand Australia lost their only pool match against their co-hosts in New Zealand and their familiarity with home conditions is a considerable advantage in their quest for a fifth world title. But India has been Down Under since November and has been improving gradually under the guidance of skipper Dhoni.
Indian fans are likely to outnumber their Australian counterparts despite the match being held in Sydney. Organisers believe that 70 percent of tickets at the sold-out 42,000-capacity Sydney Cricket Ground have been bought by India fans, threatening to create an environment reminiscent of the frenzied atmosphere of Eden Gardens in Kolkata. KartikAyyalasomayajula, one of the founders of the Swami Army — India’s version of England’s Barmy Army supporters group — forecasts the Australian team would be in for a hard time from fans on Thursday.
