IND vs AUS Live Score, 3rd ODI: Virat Kohli in spotlight as India aim to avoid 3-0 whitewash against Australia in Sydney

IND vs AUS Live Score, 3rd ODI: India will aim to avoid a series whitewash when they take on Australia in the third and final ODI at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday. After a narrow two-wicket defeat in Adelaide, the hosts have already sealed the series 2-0, making a consolation victory the priority for the visitors.

With just a day’s gap between matches, India have little time to regroup and prevent their first ODI sweep since the 2022 tour of South Africa. Rohit Sharma’s 73 and Shreyas Iyer’s compound 61 provided some resistance in the final match, but concerns persist over the form of Virat Kohli, who registered back-to-back ducks for the first time in his ODI career.

The two veterans could play their final ODIs on Australian soil, and India will be hoping they can end their tour on a high note. After fielding an unchanged XI in the first two matches, the team management could consider changes for Sydney, potentially bringing in new energy.

Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, left wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav and big pacer Prasidh Krishna are all waiting in the wings. Their inclusion could help balance a team that looked slightly vulnerable in the absence of all-rounder Hardik Pandya.

India, the number one ODI team, have now suffered back-to-back defeats after an eight-game 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 victory at the SCG was in 2016, while Australia have won the last three encounters 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 left the team to join 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 to Adelaide, with Zampa making a decisive impact by taking four wickets. Pacer Xavier Bartlett could retain his place after taking three key wickets, including dismissals of Gill and Kohli. Building on their momentum, Australia will aim to make it 3-0 and continue their dominance at home.

Squads:

India: Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (week), Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Dhruv Jurel (week), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna

Australia: Mitchell Marsh (captain), Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey (week), Cooper Connolly, Jack Edwards, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (week), Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitchell Owen, Josh Philippe, Matthew Renshaw, Matthew Short, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa