Sydney, October 25 (Udaipur Kiran) – Team India will take on Australia today in the third and final ODI at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), with a clean sweep looming large for the visitors. Having already lost the three-match series 0–2, this encounter could mark the last international appearance in Australia for Indian stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
Both Kohli and Rohit — now aged 36 and 38 respectively — have retired from T20Is and Test cricket, and India’s next scheduled tour of Australia is not until after 2027, according to the Future Tours Programme (FTP). Even if they continue till the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, they are unlikely to feature again on Australian soil.
Kohli Yet to Open His Account
Virat Kohli’s struggles with the bat have been a major talking point of the series. He was dismissed for zero in both previous ODIs, facing 8 balls in Perth and 4 balls in Adelaide. A strong performance today is crucial for both Kohli and captain Rohit Sharma to end the tour on a positive note.
Australia Eye Historic Clean Sweep
India face the rare prospect of a 3-0 whitewash, something Australia has never achieved against India in ODI history. The hosts won the first match by 7 wickets and clinched the second by 2 wickets on October 23 to seal the series.
Since the two teams began playing bilateral ODIs in 1984, Australia have dominated most contests but have never clean swept India.
India’s Poor Record in Sydney
India’s record at the Sydney Cricket Ground has been disappointing. The team last won an ODI here on January 23, 2016, and has since lost three consecutive matches at the venue.
On Australian soil overall, the two sides have played 56 ODIs, with Australia winning 40, India 14, and 2 matches producing no result. Across all venues, the overall head-to-head stands at Australia 86 wins, India 58, with 10 no results.
Rohit Leads with the Bat; Sundar Tops the Bowling
In the ongoing series, Rohit Sharma has been India’s top scorer with 81 runs in two matches, including a fluent 73-run knock in Adelaide. On the bowling front, Washington Sundar has been India’s most successful bowler, picking up three wickets so far.
With pride on the line, India will look to avoid their first-ever ODI clean sweep against Australia and give fans one final memorable performance from two of modern cricket’s greatest icons — Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
