World Cup: India batters face the heat against unbeaten Australia

Co-hosts are under pressure to step up scoring as they face the reigning champs

- Samreen Razzaqui

Such is the excitement for the World Cup's first sold out fixture between India and Australia that locals at the Rushikonda beach are discussing the logistics for match day.

"Australia, danger team", chimed a vendor at the beach, which was met with a nod by an impressed spectator, who expects to be in the 26,000-capacity stadium on Sunday.

Australia, the seven-time winners, are unbeaten in the tournament. India have a lopsided record against them in ODIs. Although closely contested, they also lost the three-match series 2-1 in the lead-up to the World Cup.

What was expected to be India's most challenging phase in the tournament began in grim fashion here. They were expected to be challenged by SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) countries and a spirited South Africa handed them a three-wicket defeat and reality check on Thursday. India are under pressure to bounce back as they face their most formidable opponents.