India and Australia have been in great form with both the bat and the ball in the tournament, so a huge game is in store for all and sundry when the defending champions take on the co-hosts of the World Cup in a semi-finals clash at Sydney Cricket Ground.
Players such as Shikhar Dhawan, Mohammed Shammi and Umesh Yadav have played an important hand in India reaching the semi finals, while for the Australians, Glenn Maxwell, David Warner and Mitchell Starc have been in prime form during the mega event.
Here is a look at the highest run-scorers and wicket-takers for both the nations from the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015.
Australia
Highest Wicket-Taker – Mitchell Starc
The left arm fast bowler has been the spearhead of the Australian team in the World Cup, where he has managed to take 18 wickets.
The lanky Australian has been in top form throughout the competition and has been tormenting batsmen with his pace and bounce, which he generates from his height. He has taken wickets in crucial intervals, primarily with the new ball.
The Indian players would be wary of the bowler and need to play him with some respect. Losing wickets to the Australian pacer could prove costly for India.
Best Bowling Figures in the World Cup 2015 – 6 wickets for 28 runs against New Zealand at Auckland
Highest Run-Scorer – Glen Maxwell
The dashing Australian middle-order batsman has been a key performer with the bat as he has scored 301 runs till date in the competition. It is not the number of runs, which he scores, but the fashion in which he scores those runs makes captain and the bowler look foolish.
He is one of the most aggressive batsmen in world cricket. He does not fear any bowler in world cricket and has the self- belief to clear any ground and hit a maximum, irrespective of the bowler and conditions. It is such trait of Maxwell, which makes him an exciting and a dangerous batsman to have in ones side.
The Indian bowlers need to take his wicket early, else if the batsman stays for more than 15 overs in the game, he will change the course of the game. Over the summer as well, the Indians have seen enough of Glenn Maxwell to know how pivotal the batsman is to Australia's chances of reaching the final.
Highest Score in the World Cup 2015 – 102 runs against Sri Lanka ay Sydney Cricket Ground
India
Highest Wicket Taker – Mohammed Shammi
The world has been talking about the bowling performances of the Indian seamers in the World Cup, which has been second to none. Out of the three main Indian seamers, Shammi has been the best in the competition with 17 wickets.
The Indian bowler has been very consistent with the bowl in his hand as he has pitched the ball in the right areas, along with pace, which seems to have done the trick for team India. He has been terrific bowler with the new bowler, taking crucial wickets as well.
Shammi will hold the key when the Australian openers walk onto bat. Shammi not only need to contain the aggressive opening pair of Aaron Finch and David Warner, but also take their wickets, which could prove to be the deciding factor in the semis.
Best Bowling Figures in the World Cup 2015 – 4 wickets for 35 runs against Pakistan at Adelaide
Highest Run Scorer – Shikhar Dhawan
Though, all the Indian batsmen have performed decently in the competition, it is Shikhar Dhawan who has amassed the highest number of runs for India in the competition – 367 runs.
The best thing about the player is his ability to play all shots and all round the park, which is also a hallmark of any top cricketer. Apart from his stroke playing ability, he is a quick runner between the wickets.
The left hander might have been in poor form, but the Delhi lad has looked a different player ever since the World Cup started. He has been a huge success against big teams like South Africa and Pakistan, so the Indian team would look up to the opener for a huge score against the Australians.
Considering the Australian team, which comprises of a number of left arm seamers, Dhawan's stay in the crease for a longer time will make things easy for the Indian team.
Highest Score in the World Cup 2015 – 137 runs against South Africa at Melbourne Cricket Ground
