Australia Break Indian Hearts, Storm into World Cup 2015 Final

Australia put themselves in line for a fifth World Cup title with an emphatic 95-run semi-final victory over defending champions India in Sydney on Thursday (All photos AFP and Getty Images)

India were bowled out for 233 in reply despite an opening stand of 76 between openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan and a typically defiant run-a-ball 65 from captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Chasing 329, A lot of Indian hopes were on opener Rohit Sharma. After a steady start, he fell for 34.

India's man-of-the-moment Virat Kohli was expected to carry the team through to the final but the Delhi dasher faltered, as he was dismissed for just 1.

India's chase came to a virtual end when Ajinkya Rahane was dismissed by Starc for 44.

James Faulkner finished with three for 59, while left-arm fast bowlers Mitchell Johnson and Mitchell Starc claimed two wickets each.

The four-time champions, who last won the title in 2007, have now won all seven World Cup semi-finals they have contested since the inaugural edition in 1975.

Umesh Yadav was cleaned up by Starc to close India's innings as Australia won by 95 runs to advance to the final

India will rue a missed opportunity after an impressive campaign earlier in the tournament when they won all seven matches, piling up 300 or more runs each time they batted first and bowled out their rivals in every game.

Steve Smith hammered 105 off 93 balls and Aaron Finch returned to form with 81 as the hosts piled up 328 for seven after electing to bat on a good pitch at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Can Australia clinch their fifth World Cup title on Sunday? Or will the tournament have a new winner in New Zealand?