Australia wins toss, opt to bat first in final ODI against India at the SCG

Australia have won the toss and elected to bat first in the third and final one-day international against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday. The decision gives the home side a chance to put runs on the board as they look to wrap up the series with a 3–0 whitewash.

For India, the toss brought yet another unwanted record, their 18th consecutive loss at the toss in an ODI match. Captain Shubman Gill will once again need to inspire his team to fight back from behind as the visitors seek a consolation win to close out the series.

Read also: Australia pull off record-breaking run chase to beat India in Women’s ODI

Series Recap: Australia in control

Australia have already secured the series with two convincing wins. In Thursday’s second ODI in Adelaide, the hosts edged India by two wickets in a tense finish. Earlier, in last Sunday’s rain-affected series opener in Perth, captain Mitchell Marsh guided Australia home with an unbeaten 46, sealing a seven-wicket victory.

The back-to-back wins have continued Australia’s strong home form and left India searching for rhythm across all departments ahead of their upcoming T20 fixtures.

Team Changes and Lineups

Australia made just one change for the Sydney clash, Nathan Ellis comes in for Xavier Bartlett to freshen up the bowling attack. India, meanwhile, have opted for two adjustments to their lineup, recalling Kuldeep Yadav and Prasidh Krishna as they look to strengthen their bowling unit.

Playing XIs:
Australia: Mitchell Marsh (captain), Travis Head, Matthew Short, Matthew Renshaw, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Mitchell Owen, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.

India: Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, K.L. Rahul, Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj.

What’s Next for Both Teams

This match concludes India’s eight-game tour of Australia, which now moves into a five-match T20 series starting next Wednesday. The Australians, buoyed by their ODI dominance, will turn their focus to preparations for the upcoming Ashes Test series against England, set to begin later this season.

With the series already decided, Saturday’s match still carries plenty of interest — for form, pride, and momentum heading into the next phase of international cricket.

SportsLigue