India Approaching the series finale Australia A comeback from back-to-back defeats in Perth and Adelaide that sealed the three-match series at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday. Head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill Major tactical adjustments are expected to be made to regain confidence and momentum ahead of the upcoming T20I leg.
Kuldeep Yadav is likely to replace Washington Sundar last Odi
The most significant change is likely to change Washington Sundar with Kuldeep Yadava reflection of who many former players from the first two games are. KulDeep has been India’s leading wicket-taker since India got into rhythm earlier this year, yet he is yet to deliver a delivery for a delivery in this series.
Amazing Asian Cup 2025 A campaign in which he took 17 wickets in seven matches in a mischievous economy highlighted the form, with 181 ODI wickets below his average of 181 reflecting his consistency. Some experts Irfan Pathan and Parthiv Patel They argued that the preference for an extra batting option over Kuldeep weakened Kuldeep’s ability to take wickets in the middle overs. They insist on variation and the left-arm wrist brush can challenge more effectively than Sundar’s Sunf-Spin in Australia’s right-heavy batting line-up.
Sundar’s numbers in this series further support this view. He took just two overs in Perth, taking a single wicket, and although he improved slightly in Adelaide with two for 37, his batting turnaround was minimal. His overall ODI record against Australia remains modest with eight wickets in nine matches.
India’s choice to stack the lower order with all-rounders like Sundar, Akhar Pateland Nitish kumar reddy Especially during the phases when Australia’s young middle order dominated, the bowling reduced the firepower. Matthew short and Cooper Connolly They have repeatedly capitalized when India’s morale failed to break the partnership, a partnership where India did not control important Asia. Kuldeep’s entry thus becomes a strategic necessity rather than an experimental move.
Read: AUS vs Ind: Shashi Tharoor, Indian selectors to pick Harshit Rana over Kuldeep Yadav in Adelaide Odi
Batting failures put pressure on the leadership
While bowling depth remains under review, India’s batting sensitivities have contributed equally to their downfall. Virat KohliOdi’s rare wicket, including back-to-back ducks for the first time in his career, unsettled India. Both new balls are dismissed to the bowlers Mitchell Starc and Xavier Bartlett stressed his struggle with early action.
Gill’s form also dipped as India looked for a lead at the top, with 15 and nine off nine. Rohit SharmaThe 73rd in Adelaide offered a brief respite from their aging, touring career, showcasing the glories of their old rhythm. Shreyas eatsPatel’s 44-run knock fueled a successful 61 as depth was added to the lower order. Kl rahul and Suryakumar YadavMeanwhile, India will need to convert their starts into effective innings to secure a sensible total on a battle-friendly SCG surface.
The bowling attack may also witness a change. Harshit RanaExpensive rot in Adelaide could open the door Prasidh Krishna whose pitch and seam movement suit Sydney’s conditions. Muhammad Siraj and Arshdeep Singh Patel as the second spinner retained his spots after impressive spells with the new ball. Determined not to whitewash and sympathize with India, the third Odi promises to test his adaptability ahead of the tight T20i series starting next week.
India’s probable XI for the third and final Odi
Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (c), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (WK), Kuldeep Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Muhammad Siraj
Read: Glenn Maxwell is back in Australia’s T20I squad for the final three matches against India
