SPORTS
Australia skipper Michael Clarke expects to face a very different India in next week's World Cup semi-final from the team they hammered in a test series and beat comfortably in a one-day international in January.
Australia skipper Michael Clarke expects to face a very different India in next week's World Cup semi-final from the team they hammered in a test series and beat comfortably in a one-day international in January.
Co-hosts Australia reached the last four with a six-wicket victory over Pakistan at Adelaide Oval on Friday to set up the meeting with the reigning champions at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) next Thursday. India have won all seven matches on their way to the semi-finals and, with a bowling attack unrecognisable from the rabble who contested the test series, will be surging with confidence.
"I think they're obviously playing a lot better than they were throughout the start of the summer," Clarke told reporters in Adelaide. "I said that leading into the World Cup, that I thought India were going to be an extremely tough team to beat obviously because they're a very good team but (also) because they've spent so much time in Australia they know the conditions quite well. "The game on Thursday is going to certainly be a challenge, and we're definitely going to have to be at our best to beat them."
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. India have been Down Under since November, though, and have been improving gradually under the guidance of skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
"I think MS Dhoni deserves a lot of credit the way he's been able to turn things around as the leader, as the captain," Clarke added. "They're playing some really good cricket, there's no doubt about it. We look forward to that challenge. We've got some time now to recover and make sure we're fresh and then obviously train and prepare. "Our attitude will be exactly the same as it was leading up to this game. Thursday becomes our World Cup final. We look forward to it."
If there was any perceived weakness in the Australia squad for the tournament it was the selection of Xavier Doherty as the frontline spinner. While the SCG has a tradition for offering something for spin bowlers, Clarke said that was not always the case at his home ground and he was in any case "extremely satisfied" with his spinning options.
"I think Xavier has been a really good spinner for the Australian team over the last few years, so if the wicket does spin, I think the selectors have that option," he said. "I think we've got spinning options, but we'll wait and see what the pitch is like."
Govt extends ITR filing deadline for corporates, check new date here
Meet woman, from remote Odisha village, who cracked UPSC exam by YouTube videos, secured AIR...
Dhanteras 2024: Gold to silver, 5 auspicious things you should buy for good luck
When Madhuri Dixit met with life-threatening accident on Diwali, her body caught fire, then...
Viral artwork of banana duct-taped could be auctioned for over ₹12 crore, but here's twist
The Essence of Leadership: Insights from Ankur Saini
Mamata Banerjee warns of communal riots and explosion ahead of Diwali, heightens security in Kolkata
Diljit Dosanjh, Coldplay concerts illegal ticket sales: ED conducts raids in 5 states, finds...
Mukesh Ambani loses over Rs 180000000000 in just 1 day, here's why
Do Patti movie review: Kajol is a misfit in this convoluted Kriti Sanon drama on Netflix
'Despicable, yet entirely predictable': India slams Pakistan at UN for raising Kashmir issue
Cyclone Dana: Two more deaths reported in West Bengal, toll rises to 4, no casualties in Odisha
BruntWork shares takeaways from Mayer Brown’s 16th Annual Outsourcing Conference
Vaishno Devi Yatra: All you need to know about helicopter booking
Watch: Vidya Balan falls during her live performance with Madhuri Dixit, handles it with grace
Escalation looms as Israel strikes Tehran, raising fears of full-scale conflict
From Syria to Tehran: F-35 Fighters spearhead Israeli offensive
Meet IIT-JEE topper with AIR 1, scored 352 marks in JEE Advanced, decided to drop out of IIT due to…
After Delhi, odd-even scheme to be implemented in THIS state from November 5 to control...
Jharkhand Assembly Election: Is MS Dhoni entering politics? Poll body makes THIS key announcement
8th Pay Commission update: Government employees likely to get clarity on next pay commission by...
Sara Ali Khan is 'muhfat', was terrified of her in school, says Ananya Panday
Delhi's AQI hits 'poor' as air quality worsens amid pollution crisis, may turn severe from...
US house resolution introduced to formally recognise, commemorate Sikh genocide of 1984
Israel launches strikes on military targets in Iran to retaliate for a missile attack
Farmers to protest in Punjab today against state government over various demands including...
Viral video: Woman's sizzling dance to ‘I don’t know what to do’ sets internet on fire, watch
IND vs NZ 2nd Test, Pune weather forecast: Will rain play spoilsport on Day 3 at MCA Stadium?
Minahil Malik's private video leaks online, Pakistani Tik Tok star files complaint: Is the MMS fake?
DNA TV Show: Lawrence Bishnoi, big revelation behind the code name `Guruji’
BIG trouble for Gautam Adani as SEBI issues show-cause notice to Adani Energy Solutions alleging...
BCCI announces India's squad for Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, Mohammed Shami misses out
Kalki 2898 AD: Prabhas' epic blockbuster will be re-releasing on big screen, but there's a catch
Viral Video: Man finds cobra inside sofa pillow, leaves internet shivering, watch
'BJP orchestrated this...': Arvind Kejriwal attacked during 'Pad yatra' in Delhi, alleges AAP
First time in 23 years! India register embarrassing record in Pune Test vs New Zealand
David Warner's lifetime captaincy ban lifted six years after ball-tampering scandal, set to lead....
Ratan Tata gave Shantanu Naidu personal loan for studying MBA in Cornell University of Rs...
Meet man, who leads R 150000 crore business, but drives Rs 6 lakh car, doesn't own phone, he is...
Anant Ambani's MIL and Radhika Merchant's mother buys luxury flat for Rs 20.76 crore in...
Aishwarya Rai didn't name herself but gave title of 'most beautiful women' to Abhishek Bachchan's...