A scrappy India will have to lift their game by several notches against an improving Australia when the two fierce rivals clash in a virtual quarterfinal cricket match of the ICC World Twenty20 in Mohali on Sunday.
India, who were the overwhelming favourites going into the tournament, have been far from convincing in the three games they have played so far.
The inaugural edition champions began their campaign with a 47-run crushing defeat against New Zealand before bouncing back with a six-wicket win over arch-rivals Pakistan.
But the home side would have found themselves in a precarious situation if it was not for a self destructive Bangladesh and a brilliant sprint stumping from captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni in the previous game which they won by a mere one run.
Australia, on the other hand, has been improving with every game and a convincing win against Pakistan in a must-win match in Mohali on Friday have prepared them well for another knock-out battle.
James Faulkner and Shane Watson think playing India in their own backyard is the ultimate challenge but the home team also knows they have a daunting task at hand tomorrow.
India, however, will take confidence from the fact that they blanked Australia in Australia in the three-match series in January even though they played against a different squad then.
In any case, another close contest is expected between the two tough rivals at the I S Bindra Stadium which is expected to be fully packed.
It remains to be seen what opening combination Australia go with on Sunday. Khawaja and Watson opened in the first two games before Aaron Finch joined Khawaja against Pakistan. The experiment of pushing the dangerous David Warner down the order has not worked for the Australians so far.
