Sydney Cricket Ground to host the third and final One Day International Australia And India On 25 October. With the hosts having already won the three-match series 2-0, this game is a crucial opportunity for India to save pride and avoid a clean sweep. for players like Virat KohliWho have recorded two consecutive zeroes, and have a young Indian team under captain Shubman GillThe match is an important opportunity to show fighting spirit. The SCG crowd will be particularly keen to see strong performances from their experienced stars, in what promises to be a competitive farewell to the series.
Australia vs India ODI series so far: A tale of two contrasts
The ODI series has been a disappointing one for the touring Indian team, who have struggled to click as a unit against a disciplined and opportunistic Australian team. The first match in Perth was affected by rain, involving India’s top order including the senior players Rohit Sharma And Kohli, collapsing rapidly, posted an inadequate total which Australia chased down with ease.
The second match in Adelaide offered more resistance with strong innings from Rohit (73) and Shreyas Iyer (61) Pushed India to a competitive 264. However, the lack of knockout punch from the Indian bowlers, as well as significant contributions from Australia’s young batsmen matt short And cooper connollyAllowing the hosts to secure a thrilling win by two wickets and clinch the series.
Australia’s bowling has been excellent with the pace trio and leg spinner. adam zampa Constantly putting the Indian batsmen under pressure, while India’s decision to prioritize batting depth over a specialist wicket-taking spinner has been a major point of discussion and criticism. Gill’s first series as captain has been a learning curve, highlighted by his own modest returns and his inability to convert the team’s strong starts into series-winning performances.
Also read: Glenn Maxwell has returned to Australia’s T20 team for the last three matches against India.
3 things India need to do right to win Sydney ODI vs Australia
In the third ODI, with India having already lost the series, they need to do three things. India will look to perform well in three key areas to win the final ODI against Australia in Sydney and avoid a series whitewash.
1. Virat Kohli should anchor and accelerate: Kohli needs to settle his innings early, acting as the facilitator for the Indian batting line-up.
- Problem: Kohli has recorded two consecutive ducks in the series, a first in his ODI career, highlighting an uncharacteristic struggle for form. He was out in the second ODI 0 on 4 balls,
- Solution: To regain confidence, the focus should be on rotating the strike early, as suggested by former players. Once set up, their natural game involves building an innings before accelerating. His overall ODI career strike rate is 93.27 This proves that once he settles down he can score quickly, a template that the team desperately needs, allowing young batsmen to play freely around him.
2. Fast bowlers need to take wickets in the powerplay first: India’s pace attack will need to step up and take advantage of the new ball conditions to put immediate pressure on Australia’s strong top order.
- Problem: The Australian opening batsmen and top-order batsmen have made consistently strong starts, largely negating the threat of the new ball. India’s fast bowlers have so far been able to achieve limited success with the new ball in the series. India’s fast bowlers in the first two matches (Mohammad Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana And Prasidh Krishna) have collectively taken only 7 wickets in total (4 in the 1st ODI and 3 in the 2nd ODI).
- Solution: Early wickets are important to disrupt Australia’s momentum. The fast bowlers will have to use any swing or seam movement, pitch the ball up and aim for the stumps to convert the pressure onto the wicket and bring Australia’s middle order into the game early.
3. Play Kuldeep Yadav to control the middle overs: -Kuldeep YadavAggressive wrist-spin should be introduced to gain control over the crucial middle overs (11-40), where India have failed to stop the flow of runs and take wickets.
- Context: The pitch at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) is traditionally considered one of the most spin-friendly in Australia, with ‘bulky clay’ that aids turn. SCG ODI data from 2010 shows that while pace takes more total wickets, batting first has a higher average winning score (311)Suggesting the need for a wicket-taking option to break a partnership.
- Solution: Kuldeep’s ODI record against Australia is excellent 31 wickets in 23 matches (Average: 39.7), and is a proven wicket-taker in the middle overs. Possibly his inclusion in place of a fast bowling all-rounder would pose a real wicket-taking threat, especially on a turning pitch, preventing the opposition from building big partnerships.
Also read: Shubman Gill has joined the unwanted list after losing the first two ODI matches as captain.
