Co-hosts Australia reached the last four with a six-wicket victory over
Pakistan at Adelaide Oval on Friday to set up the meeting with the
reigning champions at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) next Thursday.
India have won all seven matches on their way to the semi-finals and, with a bowling attack unrecognisable from the rabble who contested the test series, will be surging with confidence.
"I think they're obviously playing a lot better than they were throughout the start of the summer," Clarke told reporters in Adelaide.
"I said that leading into the World Cup, that I thought India were going to be an extremely tough team to beat obviously because they're a very good team but (also) because they've spent so much time in Australia they know the conditions quite well.
"The game on Thursday is going to certainly be a challenge, and we're definitely going to have to be at our best to beat them."
Australia lost their only pool match against their co-hosts in New Zealand and their familiarity with home conditions is a considerable advantage in their quest for a fifth world title.
India have been Down Under since November, though, and have been improving gradually under the guidance of skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
"I think MS Dhoni deserves a lot of credit the way he's been able to turn things around as the leader, as the captain," Clarke added.
"They're playing some really good cricket, there's no doubt about it. We look forward to that challenge. We've got some time now to recover and make sure we're fresh and then obviously train and prepare.
India have won all seven matches on their way to the semi-finals and, with a bowling attack unrecognisable from the rabble who contested the test series, will be surging with confidence.
"I think they're obviously playing a lot better than they were throughout the start of the summer," Clarke told reporters in Adelaide.
"I said that leading into the World Cup, that I thought India were going to be an extremely tough team to beat obviously because they're a very good team but (also) because they've spent so much time in Australia they know the conditions quite well.
"The game on Thursday is going to certainly be a challenge, and we're definitely going to have to be at our best to beat them."
Australia lost their only pool match against their co-hosts in New Zealand and their familiarity with home conditions is a considerable advantage in their quest for a fifth world title.
India have been Down Under since November, though, and have been improving gradually under the guidance of skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
"I think MS Dhoni deserves a lot of credit the way he's been able to turn things around as the leader, as the captain," Clarke added.
"They're playing some really good cricket, there's no doubt about it. We look forward to that challenge. We've got some time now to recover and make sure we're fresh and then obviously train and prepare.
Source: ICC Cricket World Cup and Latest Cricket Match News
View more: Live Cricket Full Scoreboard and World Cup Live Commentary
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