IND vs AUS Live Score, 3rd ODI: India will look to avoid the series when they take on Australia in the third and final ODI at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday. After a narrow two-goal defeat in Adelaide, the hosts had already sealed the series 2-0, so a consolation victory was a priority for the visitors.
With only a one-day break between matches, India have limited time to regroup and prevent their first ODI clean sweep since the tour of South Africa in 2022. Rohit Sharma’s gritty 73 and Shreyas Iyer’s composed 61 provided some resistance in the last match, but concerns remain over Virat Kohli’s form as he makes the first ODI in his career scored back-to-back ducks.
Both the veterans could be playing their final ODIs on Australian soil and India will be hoping to end their tour on a high. After fielding an unchanged XI for the first two matches, the team management may consider changes for Sydney that could bring new energy.
Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav and tall pacer Prasidh Krishna are all waiting in the wings. Their inclusion could help balance a side that looked slightly vulnerable in the absence of all-rounder Hardik Pandya.
India, the highest-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 to shape his preferred line-up. Gill has also struggled with the bat and India will be looking for substantial contributions from him. India’s last ODI win 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 goalkeeper Josh Inglis, who has recovered from a strained calf. Marnus Labuschagne left the team to return to Queensland for the Sheffield Shield, while left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann and all-rounder Jack Edwards were added for the final ODI.
Adam Zampa and Alex Carey returned for Adelaide, with Zampa making a decisive impact as he claimed four wickets. Pacer Xavier Bartlett could retain his place after picking up three crucial wickets, including dismissing Gill and Kohli. Australia will be looking to complete a 3-0 draw and continue their domestic dominance.
platoons:
India: Shubman Gill (capt), 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 Yaisdav, Kulhāsvi Yaisdav, Krishna
Australia: Mitchell Marsh (capt), 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
