Clash of the Titans: A new chapter in the India-Australia rivalry

Australia are the favourites but India have the capability to upset the odds

Fans have offered their prayers, havans have been performed, astrologers have made their predictions, rumour is that an official holiday has been declared in Telangana and people all over the country perhaps are thinking of excuses of bunking work. As Ravi Shastri - the king of cricketing cliches -- would say, "this is the big one", India taking on Australia in the semi final of the World Cup.

There was a time when India against Australia used to be a battle of unequals. The team from Down Under regularly used to thrash the Indians - especially on their own turf - and victories were far and few in between for India. All that changed when Sourav Ganguly came on the scene and VVS Laxman scored that memorable 281 in 2001 in a Test match in Kolkata. Before that India was always bullied by Australia but that matched changed the psyche of Indian team.

This is not a traditional rivalry like the Ashes or a geographical one like India and Pakistan but it has become a fierce contest over the years with its fair share of drama and controversies. Racist allegations, on-field spats, off-field verbal duels, the two cricket boards not getting along with each other, etc. have been a feature of the India-Australia rivalry. No inch would be given as the hostilities resume at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) tomorrow.

Both teams have been in some very good form in this tournament and it's actually tough to predict a winner. History is certainly not on India's side as they've beaten Australia only once in 35 years at the SCG. Australia have played six World Cup semi finals and have never lost one and they're unbeaten in the last 12 ODIs played at home.

But this Indian team is a well-balanced unit and has had different players pitching in at the right time. The batting has clicked regularly - India have scored 300 every time they've batted first - and the bowlers have bowled out opposition in all the seven matches so far. India, of course, will be hoping that tomorrow is Virat Kohli's day. Kohli, by his standards, has had a subdued tournament so far though he still remains India's second highest run-getter after Shikhar Dhawan.

Australia were in a spot of bother against Pakistan in their quarter final but have looked a dangerous outfit throughout the tournament. In David Warner, Aaron Finch, Michael Clarke, they have batsmen to hurt any bowling attack, whereas the two Mitchells - Johnson and Starc - are a handful for any batting line-up. Starc has been a revelation in this World Cup; he has taken 18 wickets at an average of 9.77! He has been one of the most impressive bowlers at this World Cup and Indian batsmen will be vary of facing him.

With two evenly matched teams, it could very well boil down to the captains -- MS Dhoni and Michael Clarke - and how they marshal their resources. After a forgettable Test series, Dhoni is back at his cool and composed best and has made shrewd decisions. Clarke, on the other hand, had a great Test series but hasn't always been considered a good captain in the shorter format.

Considering Australia's record in semi-finals and their record at the SCG, they go in as favourites. But if there's one team that can reverse this trend, then it is India. Two months ago, Australia was walloping India in the Test series as well as the tri-series that followed. But that's a thing of the past; all that matters now is a place in the World Cup final. Both teams will relish the opportunity to knock the other one out and earn the bragging rights. This semi-final could very well be the next glorious chapter in the India-Australia rivalry.