India 'host' Australia at Kingsmead

India effectively play hosts to Australia at Kingsmead in the second semi-final of the ICC World Twenty20, having played four of their five matches - including the washed-out game against Scotland - in Durban.

Toss

Six out of eight teams that have won the toss batted second at Kingsmead, but had little success, with two wins, one no-result, one tied game (that Pakistan lost to India in a bowl-out), and two losses. Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the Indian captain, has shown his preference to bat first, and India's only defeat came against New Zealand, where he opted to chase.

While India have been successful while setting a target, Australia have a 100% win record while chasing so far.

The first six overs

Both teams have openers who are in good nick, with Australia's Matthew Hayden the top run-scorer in the tournament. Hayden and Gilchrist have had two century opening stands, and are coming off the back of an unbeaten 102-run partnership against Sri Lanka.

It's the Australian bowlers that have played a key part in setting up wins over England, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka by being attacking up front. India's bowlers had South Africa reeling at 31 for 5 on Thursday and a repeat of the same dose from Sreesanth and RP Singh could have the Australians in a spot of bother.

Endgame

While Australia's middle and lower order had few opportunities in the middle, India's batsmen faced testing conditions against the South African and English attacks in the last two matches. Yuvraj Singh - who scored 36 in an over against England - and Dhoni suffered injuries and both batsmen will be crucial to India's momentum in the last five overs.

Australia's bowlers have managed to contain at the death - mainly due to the wickets taken in the early overs. India, on the other hand, have struggled to do the same, except in the match against South Africa.

Par score

The average run-rate at Kingsmead has been 7.74 during the tournament and a score between 155-160 could be challenging. The highest total is 218 for 4 by India against England. Scores of 171 and 164 have been defended successfully, while the highest successful chase is 158 for 4 by South Africa in 19.1 overs against New Zealand.

The match will be played at 6.00 pm local time and with the exception of the India-England encounter where both teams scored over 200, the other two matches had a high of 153, which India defended with ease against South Africa.

Pace v Spin

Spinners have had some success at Kingsmead, though the fast bowlers have picked the bulk of the wickets.

Saturday's showdown though will be a battle of the seamers. India have only played one specialist spinner in Harbhajan Singh while Australia might need to play Brad Hogg since both Ricky Ponting and Shane Watson have been ruled out through injury.

Power-hitters

Yuvraj hit six sixes in an over during the fastest fifty in Twenty20 internationals against England, and he along with Dhoni and Virender Sehwag are the key men who could easily clear the boundaries for India. Australia have Hayden along with Gilchrist at the top, and Andrew Symonds is yet to play a big innings in the tournament.

Extras

India have conceded 59 runs by way of extras in the tournament, while Australia have given away 40. Australia have given away 20 runs in wides, including 11 against Bangladesh, while India squandered 15 runs by being wayward against South Africa.

Key performers

For both teams, it will be the opening batsmen and fast-bowlers who will be crucial to the team's fortunes. Hayden and Stuart Clark are on top of the run-scorers and wicket-takers charts. For India, Sehwag will be the key along with Yuvraj and Dhoni.