Australia and India are set to face each other in the third and final ODI match, scheduled to be held on Saturday at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Australia have already clinched the series 2–0, making this clash all about pride for India, who will be desperate to end the series on a positive note.
Australia have looked a class apart so far, showing consistency across both matches. Their top and middle order have performed up to the expectations, while their bowlers have executed plans to perfection, leaving India struggling to find rhythm. With an unassailable 2-0 lead, Australia will now be eyeing a clean sweep to boast their dominance on home soil. India, on the other hand, find themselves under pressure. After a disappointing performance in Adelaide on Thursday, where they succumbed to yet another defeat, the Men in Blue will be eager to turn things around. The series might be out of reach, but a victory in Sydney would offer some much-needed consolation before the upcoming T20Is.
One positive for India has been the form of skipper Rohit Sharma. The opener battled through a challenging start in Adelaide, showing grit and determination to score a well-made 73. It was a good comeback for Rohit Sharma in the second ODI. However, India’s biggest concern lies in the form of Virat Kohli. The star batter has endured a rare rough patch, registering consecutive ducks for the first time in his career. All eyes will be on him in Sydney as he looks to rediscover his touch. Meanwhile, for India to have any chance of avoiding a whitewash, their middle order and bowlers will need to step up.
Head-to-head
Matches - 154
AUS won - 86
IND won - 58
No result- 10
Australia probable XI: Mitch Marsh (c), Travis Head, Matt Short, Matthew Renshaw, Josh Inglis (wk), Cooper Connolly, Mitch Owen, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa
India probable XI: Shubman Gill (c), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav