Defending champions India are high on confidence ahead of their semi-final clash against co-host Australia. With seven back-to-back wins in World Cup 2015 so far the momentum is surely with the Men in Blue and MS Dhoni's men will be going into the match with aim of taming Australia in their own backyard.

On the other hand Australia lost their only pool match against their co-hosts in New Zealand and their familiarity with home conditions is a considerable advantage in their quest for a fifth world title. But India have been Down Under since November and have been improving gradually under the guidance of skipper Dhoni. They have in them to stun the host nation.

In what promises to be one heck of a contest here are a few reasons why Dhoni's men can come on top against Michael Clarke and Co.

Momentum is with India

Team India has won all seven matches on the way to semi-finals and, with a bowling attack which was once criticised heavily during the Test series is now the talking point after picking 70 out of 70 wickets and will surely come out all guns blazing. Even the batsmen are firing on all cylinders with Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane and Suresh Raina among the runs. If India can play like a team against Australia, then there is no stopping them.

Familiar conditions:

India have been Down Under since November and have adapted to the conditions very well now. The pitch at the Sydney Cricket Ground is expected to assist spinners more than anybody else. R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja will relish the battle against the Australian batsmen. Ashwin has 12 wickets so far and Jadeja has managed to remove nine batsmen. On the other hand Australia have only one specialist spinner Xavier Doherty up their ranks and he is struggling with form. Glenn Maxwell is their part-time spinner and handling him should not be a problem for Indian batsmen.

Fans supports:

Indian fans are likely to outnumber their Australian counterparts despite the match being held in Sydney. Organisers believe that 70 percent of tickets at the sold-out 42,000-capacity Sydney Cricket Ground have been bought by India fans, threatening to create an environment reminiscent of the frenzied atmosphere of Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Kartik Ayyalasomayajula, one of the founders of the Swami Army -- India's version of England's Barmy Army supporters group -- forecasts the Australian team would be in for a hard time from fans on Thursday.

Team India playing like a unit:

The overall picture is looking very good. The openers are firing. Shikhar Dhawan already has two centuries, Rohit Sharma is back in form - hitting a solid 100 against Bangladesh. Although Virat Kohli has failed in last couple of matches but we have seen him the past that he saves his best for the big occasions. Suresh Raina, Ajinkya Rahane and MS Dhoni has got some crucial runs under their belt. If Indian bowlers, especially the seamers, bowl the way they have been doing in this tournament then surely this is going to be India's match.