2,400 priceless dollars

More than three hours before the start of the World Cup semifinal between Australia and India on Thursday and already there were India flags being flown outside the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Ajit Burli, 31, a chartered accountant from Mumbai and his friend Murali Mamana, 39, a business development manager from Pune, were determined to make it a day out to remember.

"It's cost us 2,400 dollars to be here. That's quite expensive but we are die-hard India fans," Ajit said.

"We are for cricket and we are sure India will win the World Cup so we are here to cheer our team and our country."

Asked why they had arrived so early, Ajit said: "We just want to get a glimpse of the players [before the match starts]. This is a World Cup, this is a special event."

Murali added: "At the last World Cup we were in Ahmedabad for the quarterfinal [where India beat Australia]."

Asked about his forecast for the match, Ajit said: "All the way India! But both the teams are very competitive.

"It's going to be a tough match. I think the toss will play a big factor. I feel whichever team wins the toss and bats first should win the match."

"And also the World Cup!" added Murali, ahead of the game set to be watched by 42,000 people inside the famous arena.

"This is the 'decider'," agreed Ajit. "Whichever team wins this match will win the final."

Pre-match estimates were that some 70 per cent of tickets at a sold-out SCG had been taken up by India fans.

"Sydney will be a home ground for India," said Murali. "The pitch [which is expected to be spin-friendly] and crowd support makes it home conditions for India."

However, Matthew Collins, a 26-year-old paramedic working in Melbourne was among a group of proud Australia supporters at the match.

Asked about his interest in cricket, Matthew said: "I'm a first-grade all-rounder with the Blue Mountains Cricket Association [60 miles from Sydney]. I love it."

He added he was relishing the prospect of witnessing such a high-stakes match.

"It will be a good atmosphere that's the main thing. More Australians would be nice, but it's all right, we'll do what we can do. The whole family are here -- my mum and dad live in Sydney.

"Australia will win for sure, of course they will."