Cricket World Cup 2015: India baits sledge trap to catch Australia’s David Warner and Shane Watson

INDIA has hatched a plot to bring Australian opener Dave Warner undone in the World Cup semi-final - and they have also named an Aussie teammate.

Australia v India

THE man who Dave Warner told to speak English did so in no uncertain manner on Wednesday, with Rohit Sharma shamelessly admitting India will lay out the bait for the Australian attack dog in Thursday’s semi-final at the SCG.

If India fails to make it through to Sunday’s decider, it seems their plan is to at least bring two Australians down with them.

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Warner and perhaps more surprisingly, Shane Watson face certain suspension if they cross the line again after repeated infringements this summer.

The duo might captain members of the Indian team for their respective IPL franchises, but there will be little respect for authority today when the intensity rises.

India have learnt enough over the past four months to be confident they can get underneath the skin of Australia’s most explosive and emotion-charged combatants.

Warner and Sharma exchange pleasantries.

Sharma revealed the 138 he scored following Warner’s infamous “speak English” sledge at the MCG in January was still “fresh” on his mind and made it clear India would be going hard at his nemesis and fellow rival Watson.

“There will be times when you’ll see a lot of bowlers and fielders getting right in their faces,” Sharma said.

“Our plan is coming (in hard), if there is a bit of banter going around, so be it.”

On Wednesday Watson stood side-by-side with ICC chief executive David Richardson but said he needed no clarification from the boss that he is indeed on his last chance, after being fined 15 per cent of his match-fee for his part in the Wahab Riaz battle.

Watson and Riaz were fined for their roles in a sledge war during their quarter-final clash.

The chirpy all-rounder, noted for his sledging from slips, promised to bite his tongue, but said he could never speak for Warner.

“I’m not sure if I can take Dave Warner under my wing, I’m not sure if that’s possible to do for anyone,” said Watson.

“Dave’s his own person and he will just does what he thinks is right on the field at certain times and off the field as well.

“I think we know how important this game is. It’s definitely going to be very hard fought out there and we’re going to have to be very careful not to step over the line.”

At the launch of children’s book Dream Big, which is published by non-for-profit charity Room to Read, Watson jokingly apologised to Richardson, when the ICC boss suggested that elements of the quarterfinal showdown between he and Wahab wasn’t suitable for kids to be watching on television.

Will Watson and Dhawan continue their running battle in the semi-final?

Watson — a long time target of Shikhar Dhawan and the Indians — declared he would now be taking no risks with his own behaviour.

“Yep because I don’t want to get fined again or get suspended,” said Watson.

“I know I’m going to have to be even more diligent with what I say, when I say it and how I say it because in the end it was one of the best battles I’ve been involved in an international game but there is also a line and we can’t cross it.

“I just know based on my last fine I am just about on my last warning.”

The Australian pair aren’t the only players under the microscope today — with Virat Kohli and Dhawan also facing bans if they overstep the line.

Warner and Kohli and Dhawan clashed during the first Test in Adelaide back in November, before the Australian opener was also hauled over the coals for his behaviour towards the Indians in the one-day series.

There is no love lost between Watson and the sub-continent kings either.

Dhawan mocked Watson’s injury-hampered reputation in India back in 2013 and the scars run deep.

Watson skippers Ajinkya Rahane at the Rajasthan Royals and Warner will this season lead Dhawan at the Sunrisers after last week being appointed their new captain.

Australian captain Michael Clarke said he hasn’t noticed Warner curb his enthusiasm on the pitch, but said the fiery left-hander didn’t need any special minding.

“David will be fine,” said Clarke.

“He knows the rules … and his rules are no different than the rest of ours.”