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

India and Australia have a lot to live up to in their semi-final in Sydney after New Zealand and South Africa having played out a World Cup thriller in the first of the last-four encounters on Tuesday.

The Kiwis came out on top in that clash by four wickets and thus await the winner of Thursday's match between the defending champions and fellow hosts Australia in Melbourne's final.

The Aussies and India have both been largely excellent at the 2015 World Cup so far, thus the Sydney Cricket Ground may indeed be set for a thriller.

Read on for a full preview of the penultimate match of what has been a highly entertaining tournament, as well as scheduling, television and live streaming details.

Date: Thursday, March 26

Time: 2:30 p.m. local, 3:30 a.m. GMT

TV Info: Sky Sports 2

Live Stream: Sky Go

Preview

Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

There has been much talk about the role the pitch will play in Sydney on Thursday, on a ground which usually suits spinners far more than other Australian venues.

This could play right into the hands of India, who have Ravi Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja in their bowling attack, while the Aussies are short a front-line spinner.

Glenn Maxwell is their main option in this department, and although he is confident of making an impact in Sydney, per DNA, India definitely have the edge in the spinning stakes:

However, that is not to suggest that Australia's seam bowling attack, led by Mitchell Starc, will not be effective in their semi-final.

Starc has been one of the most effective bowlers at the World Cup, with his pace, length and swing bamboozling numerous opponents. He is well backed up by the likes of Mitchell Johnson and Josh Hazelwood.

Furthermore, Australia have an excellent record in ODIs against India in Sydney, with the subcontinent outfit having picked up just one win in 14 matches, per Cricket Australia's Malcolm Conn:

India arguably come into Thursday's match in better tournament form having won all seven of their matches—quite a turnaround from their pre-World Cup travails Down Under.

Australia were defeated by New Zealand in their group-stage campaign but have produced some significant victories against the likes of England and Sri Lanka, ahead of quarter-final glory over Pakistan.

The batting depth in each side is impressive. India's lineup boasts Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, an in-form Rohit Sharma and arguably the greatest finisher of all time, MS Dhoni, per The Hindu's Rukmini Shrinivasan:

Australia's is filled with destructive power, in the likes of David Warner, Aaron Finch and Maxwell, while Michael Clarke and Steve Smith are both capable of producing a match-winning contribution any time.

The quality in both sides is staggering, and India will not give up their world title easily. They may also be helped by the conditions in Sydney.

However, home advantage and power-batting could give Australia the edge, and they do enter the contest as favourites.

It is almost impossible to call who will join the Kiwis in the final, but the stage is set for another tense and thrilling encounter on Thursday.