Cricket World Cup: Kohli expects heated semifinal in Sydney

India's Virat Kohli expects a heat affair against Australia in Sydney today. Photo / AP

Indian batsman Virat Kohli has been known to get a little hot under the collar and expects today's World Cup semifinal against Australia to be "heated".

India and Australia meet in Sydney today to find which team will join the Black Caps in Sunday's final.

There's already been plenty of spice between the two sides this summer - Kohli was fined for a verbal clash with Steve Smith during the Adelaide test - and he did his best yesterday to try to heap more pressure on the home side.

He played in the last World Cup in India, when his side triumphed, and said every moment of every game featuring India was "nerve-wracking" on home soil.

"I'm sure it's going to be a very heated game," Kohli said. "Australia wouldn't want to lose to us in the semifinals, especially playing at home.

"There will be a lot of pressure on them. If we can exploit that, it will be great for us. Everyone is expecting them to win and I'm sure they're aware of that.

"If you get into that zone of knowing what people expect from you and you actually start thinking about it, it's not a good zone to be in. Trust me, they will be under massive pressure."

Kohli says he's happy to trade on-field banter with opponents, as long as it doesn't become so personal that the umpires feel obliged to get involved.

"I don't believe in that label of being reserved just because you're from the subcontinent. It's totally a man-to-man challenge when you're batting out there against that bowler or a particular fielder who is having a go at you. There's nothing harmful in having a bit of banter out there, as long as it doesn't get ugly."

Kohli says he gets along well with Australian opener David Warner - off the field - even though the pair have clashed at times out in the middle.

"On the field, both of us are really at each other all the time," Kohli said. "It has mellowed down after the test series. We haven't really had any arguments.

"He plays his cricket hard. He likes to be aggressive and be in the face of the opposition and so do I."