AUS vs IND Preview | India look to shake off rust and avoid maiden ODI whitewash at Aussie hands at SCG

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The third and final ODI of the bilateral series between India and Australia will take place on October 25 at the Sydney Cricket Ground. With the hosts holding a 2-0 lead, this fixture carries contrasting motivations: Australia hope to seal a whitewash, while India seek consolation before the T20s.

Shubman Gill will be desperate to get back to scoring big at the SCG against Australia after a series of failures at the top of the order for India

The ongoing ODI series has reflected the home team’s clinical consistency and the visitors’ search for rhythm. India began the year brightly in Dubai but have struggled to adjust to the pace and bounce of Australian surfaces. The first ODI in Perth saw them fall by 7 wickets, while the second in Adelaide slipped away in a tense 2-wicket defeat.

Australia, meanwhile, have built on their revival after a challenging series loss to South Africa in August. Led by Mitchell Marsh, the side has found a cohesive blend of aggressive batting and sharp bowling variations. Travis Head has provided blistering starts, while Mitchell Starc and Adam Zampa have excelled in restricting India’s middle order.

The Sydney Cricket Ground, steeped in cricketing history, now hosts the finale of this white-ball contest. Both sides are expected to approach it with intensity – India to end the tour’s ODI leg on a high, and Australia to reinforce their dominance ahead of a demanding calendar.

Form Guide

India's victories over New Zealand and Australia earlier this year in the Champions Trophy highlighted their batting depth, but consecutive defeats in Perth and Adelaide have exposed a reliance on top-order runs. Skipper Shubman Gill and veteran Virat Kohli will be central to any resurgence, while Mohammed Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav will aim to contain the hosts through the middle overs.

The Australian team's last five ODI records show a clear upward trajectory. After back-to-back losses to South Africa in August, the side rebounded emphatically with a 276-run victory in Mackay before defeating India twice this week. The balance of Marsh’s XI – combining pace, power and control – makes them formidable opponents on home soil.

India: W W W L L

Australia: L L W W W

India vs Australia Head-to-Head

India and Australia share one of cricket’s most storied rivalries. Since their first ODI meeting in 1980, India have won 58 matches while Australia lead with 86 victories. In recent clashes these teams have produced tightly-contested matches: in the first ODI of this series, Australia defeated India by 7 wickets in Perth. In the second ODI, Australia again edged India by 2 wickets in Adelaide to seal the series.

However, India have shown the ability to challenge strongly, especially when their batting unit clicks in unison. The previous bilateral ODI series in India earlier in the year went down to the decider, underlining the competitive balance between the sides. For this match, Australia’s recent momentum and familiarity with the SCG’s dimensions may again give them the edge.

India 58-86 Australia

Pitch and Weather

The Sydney Cricket Ground generally offers a good batting surface, especially once the initial seam movement settles. The outfield is quick and favourable for stroke-play, though early movement for the new ball and possible late swing/shine under lights should not be discounted.

Weather for match day is expected to be comfortable, with temperatures in the low-22s °C, minimal rain risk and light winds. That means a full 50-over game is likely. Winning the toss will carry strategic weight: teams might opt to chase under lights given the reliable outfield and dew potential, though bowling first could exploit early seam.

India may favour inserting the opposition to put pressure early, while Australia might elect to bat first and set the pace.

Team News

India are expected to stick largely with their playing XI, trusting experience in the batting core and the spin/pace balance. Key focus will be on Rohit and Kohli anchoring the innings, while Siraj and Arshdeep must provide early breakthroughs.

Australia are unlikely to make major changes given their 2-0 advantage. The Head-Marsh combination has provided momentum, Starc remains threatening with the new ball, and Zampa’s spin brings control through the middle overs.

India (Probable XI): Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (c), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj

Australia (Probable XI): Travis Head, Mitch Marsh (c), Matthew Short, Matt Renshaw, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Mitchell Owen, Jack Edwards, Xavier Bartlett, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa

Broadcasting Platforms

The India vs Australia 3rd ODI will be broadcast live on Star Sports Network and streamed digitally on JioHotstar in India. In Australia, coverage will be available through Kayo Sports and Fox Cricket. Fans worldwide can follow ball-by-ball updates, scorecards and analytics via ESPN Cricinfo and Cricbuzz.

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