As the One Day International series between India and Australia reaches its climax, India faces the daunting task of preventing a 3-0 clean sweep. The third and final ODI is scheduled for this Saturday at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground, where India will be striving for a crucial consolation victory after suffering two narrow defeats, including a recent two-wicket loss in Adelaide.
With very little time to recover and strategize, the top-ranked Indian squad is under immense pressure to avoid their first ODI series whitewash since their tour of South Africa in 2022. While Rohit Sharma’s resilient 73 and Shreyas Iyer’s composed 61 offered some resistance in the previous match, concerns continue to mount over the form of star batsman Virat Kohli, who has surprisingly registered consecutive ducks – a first in his ODI career.
This upcoming match could potentially mark the final ODI appearance on Australian soil for both Kohli and Sharma, and Indian fans are eagerly hoping for a standout performance to conclude their tour on a positive note. After fielding an unchanged playing XI in the initial two games, the team management may opt for changes in Sydney, potentially introducing fresh energy. Young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav, and tall pacer Prasidh Krishna are all waiting for their chance, which could significantly bolster a side that has appeared somewhat vulnerable without all-rounder Hardik Pandya.
Newly appointed captain Shubman Gill, who has also had a challenging time with the bat, faces pivotal selection decisions as he aims to shape his preferred lineup. The odds are stacked against India, whose last ODI triumph at the SCG was in 2016, while Australia has secured victories in their last three encounters at this venue.
On the Australian side, confidence is high, and they will be further strengthened by the return of first-choice wicketkeeper Josh Inglis, who has recovered from a calf strain. Marnus Labuschagne has departed to rejoin Queensland for the Sheffield Shield, with left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann and all-rounder Jack Edwards joining the squad for the final ODI. The impactful return of Adam Zampa and Alex Carey in Adelaide, highlighted by Zampa’s impressive four-wicket haul, has further solidified Australia’s position. Pacer Xavier Bartlett, who dismissed key batsmen like Gill and Kohli, is also expected to retain his spot. With strong momentum on their side, Australia is focused on achieving a dominant 3-0 series sweep at home.
Match Information & Squads
- When: Saturday, October 25, 9:00 AM IST
- Where: Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
- Broadcast: Star Sports Network (TV), JioHotstar (streaming)
Predicted Playing XIs
Australia: Travis Head, Mitch Marsh (c), Matt Short, Matt Renshaw, Alex Carey (wk), Cooper Connolly, Mitch Owen, Mitchell Starc/Jack Edwards, Xavier Bartlett, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
India: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (c), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy/Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar/Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana/Prasidh Krishna, Mohammad Siraj, Arshdeep Singh
Sydney Weather Forecast
The weather forecast for Sydney this Saturday is perfect for cricket, according to Accuweather. Temperatures are predicted to be a pleasant 17°C in the morning, climbing to 25°C during the day. With the pitch expected to improve under the evening lights, both teams are likely to favor chasing, indicating a strategic preference for a result-oriented game rather than a cautious approach.