Heart says India but mind says Oz: Gavaskar

Sydney: Former captain Sunil Gavaskar today tipped Australia as favourites to win tomorrow's high-voltage cricket World Cup semifinal against India but said Mahendra Singh Dhoni's side can beat the hosts if they bat first and put up a big total. “Australia are favourites because they have psychological advantage of having beaten India in all the matches the two sides have played in all formats in recent times. I understand that World Cup is a different ball game altogether but I still feel that Australia have got the advantage,” Gavaskar said.
“My heart says India but my mind says Australia are the favourites. If Australia bats first then India will struggle. India can win only in case they bat first and put up a big total, say 290-300,” he added.

Focus will be on Indian pacers: Srinath
Sydney: Former fast bowler Javagal Srinath on Wednesday said that the centre of attraction will be Indian pacers and the batting top order as spinners won't get much turn against Australia in Thursday's semifinals here. “I can't see there being much turn for the Indian spinners. So once again, the focus will be on India's pace bowlers and the top order batting,” said Srinath. The 45-year-old said the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) pitch will offer different challenges which India's top order must counter. “As I have said before, Virat Kohli has to take the lead. He has cooled off a little after that hundred against Pakistan, but he loves the big stage. I see him coming up trumps against a side off whom he took four hundreds in the Test series.”

Australia favourites against India: Hayden   
Sydney: Ahead of the do-or-die cricket semifinal, former opening batsman Matthew Hayden said co-hosts will beat India to enter the final. “Obviously I think Australia will defeat India.” But he said R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja could play a big part considering the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) pitch which might assist the spinners. — Agencies