Number Cruncher: The stats that matter as India take on Australia in World Cup semifinal

All that has been said and done in the last three months — from India taking a summer thrashing from Australia in the Tests and tri-series to the jibes that have been exchanged between the two teams — will not matter.  Come Thursday morning, India and Australia will focus on just one goal — making the World Cup final where New Zealand await the winners. Below is a comprehensive statistical dossier which focusses on the two teams and will probably help you choose the favourite — because frankly, this match is just too close to call.

Head to Head in One-Day Internationals Australia enjoy an edge over India both overall and in matches played in Australia. And India have beaten Australia only once at Sydney in 14 attempts.

Australia have clearly dominated the proceedings against India in tournaments of three teams, but India have given better performance in tournaments of four or more teams. And in knock-out games of such tournaments, India have a clear edge over Australia. India vs Australia

However, Australia have a 7-3 win-loss record against India in World Cup matches, losing only in 1983, 1987 and 2011. This will be the third meeting between these two teams in a World Cup knockout match. Both have won one match each, with Australia beating India in 2003 final, and India taking revenge in 2011 quarter-final. Australia have never lost a World Cup semi-final out of six they have played. The closest they came to lose was in 1999 against South Africa, when the match ended in a thrilling tie, putting Australia ahead on finishing higher in the Super Six table. This is how the batsmen from the current squads have performed against each other:

And this is how the bowlers from both teams have performed against each other:

Head to head contests: There will be contests within the contest when these two teams take on each other. Kohli vs Starc, Raina vs Johnson, Maxwell vs Ashwin are a few key battles. Suresh Raina finds Mitchell Johnson too hot to handle, whereas Virat Kohli has handled him really well. This and all other key head to head contests are detailed below.

Australian batsmen v Indian bowlers

Venue Stats Historically, the sides batting first have been at an advantage in Sydney with a 82-61 win-loss record, but the trend seems to be changing since 2010. In this World Cup, sides batting first or second have an identical record.

Average total batting first at Sydney** Since 2010- 262 In CWC2015 – 306 ** excludes incomplete / shortened innings Pace or Spin at Sydney? Pacers have dominated the proceedings over spinners in this world cup. In games played in Australia, of all the wickets that went to bowlers’ accounts, more than 78% were taken by pacers, while spinners accounted for only 22%. Among all venues used in Australia, Adelaide had been the best for pacers with more than 89% wickets being taken by the pacers. Sydney has been most successful for spinners, with nearly 35% wicket-hauls.