The Sydney Cricket Ground is buzzing with anticipation! Cricket Australia has officially announced that all tickets for the third and final One Day International between India and Australia are sold out. A massive crowd of 48,000 passionate fans will fill the iconic venue, all eager to witness what many believe could be the final appearances of Indian batting titans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma on Australian soil.
With India not slated to play another 50-over series in Australia until the 2027 World Cup, this match at the SCG feels like a poignant farewell. For over a decade, Kohli and Sharma have been at the heart of Indian batting, creating countless memorable moments. While Kohli, who has already stepped away from Tests and T20Is, has faced a challenging series with back-to-back ducks in Perth and Adelaide, his star power remains undimmed.
Proof of his immense popularity was evident on Friday when a sea of fans swarmed the Sydney airport, hoping to catch a glimpse of the 36-year-old maestro. Saturday’s atmosphere promises to be electrifying, as thousands of Indian supporters don their blue jerseys for what might be Kohli’s last hurrah down under.
Rohit Sharma, on the other hand, showed flashes of his brilliant best in Adelaide, crafting a resilient 73 runs from 97 balls amidst tough conditions. Both he and Kohli are back in international action after a six-month hiatus. A victory in Sydney is crucial for India, not just to avoid a humiliating 3-0 whitewash, but also to build momentum and confidence heading into the upcoming T20I series.
Meanwhile, the Australian squad, having already secured the series, is keen to complete a dominant clean sweep. They’ll be boosted by the return of wicketkeeper Josh Inglis, with spinner Matthew Kuhnemann and all-rounder Jack Edwards also joining the team.