It has been a forgettable start to the white-ball tour for India. In both the ODIs, they were outplayed by Australia who have sealed the series with a game to spare. The first match was a shortened game due to rain but the visitors had no excuses in the second fixture at the Adelaide Oval. The world champions have looked the better side across all departments at most phases in the series thus far.
The final match of the series, to be played at the SCG on Saturday (October 25), is therefore a dead rubber with both sides expected to make a few changes to their playing XI. In all likelihood, this will be the last international game in Australia for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
Australia
With the series wrapped up, the Aussies might look at rotating some of their players. Josh Hazlewood has been phenomenal in both the games and with the Ashes coming up, the hosts might think of giving him a rest. In such a scenario, Nathan Ellis will be back in the XI with Xavier Bartlett keeping his spot.
Wicket-keeper batter Josh Inglis is set to return to the playing XI after missing out in the first two games of the series. He was close to featuring at the Adelaide Oval but was sidelined as a precautionary measure. It will be a like-for-like swap with Alex Carey expected to make way. However, Australia do have the option to play both Carey and Inglis, but they would want to give Matt Renshaw one more chance.
India
Rohit's return to form in the second ODI was heartening and the former captain showed glimpses of being at his best. He would want to sign off his tour on a high. As would Kohli who has two successive ducks in the series. Not too long ago, it was unfathomable to imagine Kohli scoring one duck in an ODI, let alone two successive ones and yet, he is one nightmarish moment away from three on the trot.
Kuldeep Yadav will make his first appearance of the series with Washington Sundar likely to make way for the wrist spinner. Ironically, the SCG is a place where India could afford to play three spinners but the early season might mean that the pitches won't be as dry as they usually are. India might also give Prasidh Krishna a go with Mohammed Siraj likely to be rested.
Probable XIs
Australia: Mitchell Marsh(c), Travis Head, Matt Short, Matt Renshaw, Josh Inglis(wk), Mitchell Owen, Cooper Connolly, Mitchell Starc, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa
India: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill(c), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul(wk), Axar Patel, Nitish Reddy, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna
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Pitch report
While the SCG is known to be one of the better batting surfaces in Australia, especially for Asian teams, the average score batting first at the venue is only 224. However, the last five ODIs have reported an average score of 312, with two India-Australia games where the 350-mark was breached both times in the 2020 series. However, this is still early season in Australia and the pitch might not be as flat. The last five ODIs have all been won by teams batting first.
Weather forecast
It has been largely cool and overcast week in Sydney but match day is expected to be warmer with temperatures expected to be in the early 30s. It should be a sunny afternoon and no rain is expected for the fixture.
Where to watch?
The Australia-India ODIs are being telecast on the Star Sports Network while JioHotstar has the streaming rights of the series.
