All eyes on Kohli, Rohit as India wrap up tour at SCG
As late as 6 pm on Friday night, there were still Indian fans loitering outside the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) hoping to catch a sight of their favourite players. They weren't prepared to budge either, despite the insistence of the security staff that there was to be no practice session. And there was to be no glimpse of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma or any of the other Indian superstars on the eve of the third ODI.
To the fans' credit, it is rare for a visiting team to not get enough time to slot a nets session before an ODI. But that's just a sign of the packed schedule for India on this nearly three-week-long tour of Australia. In a way, it's less of an issue now that the series has already been sealed. But you do wonder how this rapid transition from Adelaide to Sydney would have played out if indeed the series was locked at 1-1 with all to play for at the SCG on Saturday.
With that not the case, there's not much to play for really with this match except for pride — and the understandable focus on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. As has been the case throughout the last week or so. With extra focus on Kohli as he plays what is likely his final international match on Australian soil. A fact further established by his reactions after being dismissed for a second consecutive duck in Adelaide.
Because it's India, there's still a buzz even for this dead rubber — with the only incentive being for Australia, who are eyeing their first-ever clean-sweep against India in an ODI series.
Match Details
- When: October 25, 14:30 hrs Local Time | 09:00 hrs IST
- Where: Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), Sydney
- Weather: Pleasant spring afternoon, around 20°C. Expect jumpers during play.
- Pitch: Similar to Adelaide — batting-friendly with good bounce and carry.
Team News
Australia
There's every chance that the Australians ring in a few changes to their playing XI. Though the expectation would be for either Mitch Starc or Josh Hazlewood, if not both, to be rested, there might be some logic in them playing two ODIs in three days as part of their conditioning for the upcoming Ashes summer.
With Jack Edwards drafted into the squad and the game to be played in his home ground, the youngster could get his first international break.
Probable XI: Travis Head, Mitch Marsh (c), Matt Short, Matt Renshaw, Alex Carey (wk), Cooper Connolly, Mitch Owen, Mitchell Starc/Jack Edwards, Xavier Bartlett, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
India
India are unlikely to stick to the same playing XI for all three ODIs, especially after their pacers struggled with cramps in Adelaide. Prasidh Krishna is in line for a recall, while Kuldeep Yadav continues to wait his chance. Dhruv Jurel might get a look-in as a specialist batter.
Probable XI: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (c), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy/Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar/Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana/Prasidh Krishna, Mohammad Siraj, Arshdeep Singh
