India vs. UAE: Date, Live Stream, TV Info, Cricket World Cup Preview

India came into the 2015 World Cup in abject form, having failed to win a single official match in Australia since their arrival in November.

However, two matches in and they look set to go very close in their bid to successfully defend their 2011 crown, having thrashed both Pakistan and South Africa in Pool B.

India now face the United Arab Emirates on Saturday in Perth, the Associate side having impressed so far in the tournament despite losing to both Ireland and Zimbabwe. 

Read on for a preview of what should be an intriguing clash in Western Australia, as well as full scheduling, television and live streaming information.

Date: Saturday, Feb. 28

Time: 2:30 p.m. local time, 6:30 a.m. GMT

TV Info: Sky Sports 2 

Live Stream: Sky Go

Preview

Chris Hyde/Getty Images

The UAE played out arguably the most exciting contest of the competition so far on Wednesday, losing to Ireland by two wickets with just four balls remaining.

A fantastic Shaiman Anwar century and high-scoring final overs saw UAE to a very respectable score of 278, per cricket journalist Harsha Bhogle, which they defended well with fine bowling but fell just short:

Many will hope that the UAE can be similarly competitive against India, but it seems highly unlikely considering the defending champions' form and phenomenal quality.

Realistically, if India score 300 or more—as they have done against Pakistan and South Africa—the UAE will have no response, and they can have little hope of shackling some of the world's best batsmen.

The likes of Amjad Javed and Mohammed Naveed performed admirably with the ball against the Irish, but they still conceded a significant number of runs.

With top Indian batsmen Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli in very good nick—both have centuries in the tournament per ICC—the UAE will need to be in truly fine form to restrict their Saturday opponents:

Furthermore, India's bowling attack skittled out a strong South Africa lineup for just 177 in their 130-run victory at the MCG, and the UAE can't afford to fall for a similarly low score.

Anwar will need to repeat his century heroics from Wednesday, while key man Khurram Khan will need to score heavily having made starts against both Zimbabwe and Ireland but failed to move forward.

India can edge closer to a quarter-final berth with a victory over the UAE and they have great momentum after such a tremendous start to the tournament.

Their main enemy will be complacency in Perth, but the immense experience in the Indian side—including talismanic skipper MS Dhoni—should be enough to quash such issues.

As the Associate sides have shown often throughout the World Cup so far, they are not simply in Australia and New Zealand to make up the numbers.

But while the UAE are sure to put in a spirited performance in Western Australia, India's quality will surely see them to victory.