With just a day’s gap between matches, India have limited time to regroup and prevent their first ODI clean sweep since the 2022 tour of South Africa. Rohit Sharma’s gritty 73 and Shreyas Iyer’s composed 61 provided some resistance in the last match, but concerns persist over Virat Kohli’s form, as he recorded consecutive ducks for the first time in his ODI career.
Both veterans could be playing their final ODIs on Australian soil, and India will be hoping they can end their tour on a high. After fielding an unchanged eleven in the first two games, the team management may consider changes for Sydney, potentially bringing in fresh energy.
Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav, and tall pacer Prasidh Krishna are all waiting in the wings. Their inclusion could help balance a side that has looked slightly vulnerable in the absence of all-rounder Hardik Pandya.
India, the top-ranked ODI side, have now suffered back-to-back defeats after an eight-match winning streak. Newly-appointed captain Shubman Gill faces crucial selection decisions as he begins shaping his preferred lineup. Gill has also struggled with the bat, and India will be looking for substantial contributions from him. The last ODI win for India at the SCG came in 2016, while Australia have won the last three meetings at the venue, adding to the challenge.
Australia, on the other hand, will be boosted by the return of first-choice wicketkeeper Josh Inglis, who has recovered from a calf strain. Marnus Labuschagne has left the squad to rejoin Queensland for the Sheffield Shield, while left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann and all-rounder Jack Edwards have been added for the final ODI.
Adam Zampa and Alex Carey returned in Adelaide, with Zampa making a decisive impact by claiming four wickets. Pacer Xavier Bartlett could retain his spot after taking three key wickets, including dismissals of Gill and Kohli. With momentum on their side, Australia will aim to complete a 3-0 sweep and continue their dominance at home.
Squads:
India: Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna
Australia: Mitchell Marsh (captain), Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey (wk), Cooper Connolly, Jack Edwards, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitchell Owen, Josh Philippe, Matthew Renshaw, Matthew Short, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa
