India bring in Kuldeep, Australia win another toss and bat

By Admin

25 Oct, 2025

Australia continued their remarkable run of luck at the toss, opting to bat first yet again as they aim for a 3-0 series sweep against India in the third ODI at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). For the visitors, it marked their 18th consecutive toss loss in ODI cricket, a streak that has now become a talking point in itself.

Australia’s Line-up and Strategic Move
The home side made a single change to their playing XI, with Nathan Ellis replacing Xavier Bartlett. Bartlett had impressed in Adelaide with three wickets, including the prized scalp of Virat Kohli for a duck, but was rested for this final match. Australia resisted the temptation to rest their all-format fast bowlers, as Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood both took the field once more. Starc, who has retired from T20Is, will not feature in the upcoming series, while Hazlewood remains part of the squad for the Canberra and Melbourne fixtures.

India’s Adjustments and Injury Woes
Team India, determined to salvage pride, made two changes for the final ODI. Kuldeep Yadav, the left-arm wrist-spinner, finally found a spot in the playing XI, adding variety to the bowling attack. Prasidh Krishna replaced Arshdeep Singh, who struggled with cramps during the Adelaide match. Meanwhile, all-rounder Nitish Reddy was ruled out due to a left quadriceps injury sustained in the second ODI, forcing India to reshuffle their bowling balance once again.

A High-Stakes Encounter
For Australia, this match is more than just another ODI   it’s an opportunity to make history. The hosts have never whitewashed India in a bilateral men’s ODI series, and a win here would seal a landmark achievement. On the other hand, for India, it’s about ending the series on a high and building momentum ahead of the upcoming fixtures.

Adding emotional weight to the contest, this game is all but certain to be the final ODI appearance in Australia for modern legends Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. As the crowd gathers under the bright Sydney sun, fans around the world brace for what could be a defining chapter in the ongoing India-Australia rivalry.

With Mitchell Marsh choosing to set a total on a typically batting-friendly SCG pitch, all eyes now turn to how India’s revamped bowling unit, featuring Kuldeep’s spin and Prasidh’s pace, will respond in this high-stakes encounter.