Introduction: India vs Australia Third ODI The Decider
The third and final One Day International (ODI) game between India and Australia, scheduled for Wednesday, September 27, at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot, is the focus of all cricketing attention. The three-match series has already given the Men in Blue an unbeatable 2-0 advantage, and they now have a clean sweep in mind.
Indian Dominance: Second ODI Recap
The Indian cricket team displayed its dominance in the second ODI, where they triumphed over Australia by a commanding 99-run margin. Opting to bat first, India piled up a formidable 399 runs on the board, largely thanks to centuries from the youthful duo of Shubman Gill and Shreyas Gill. KL Rahul contributed a solid 52 off 38 balls, Ishan Kishan added a quick 31 off 18 balls, and Suryakumar Yadav smashed 72 runs off just 37 deliveries.
After a rain interruption, Australia was set a revised target of 317 runs in 33 overs. However, they were unable to meet this challenge and were bowled out for 217 in 28.2 overs. This followed India’s victory in the first ODI, where they successfully chased down a 277-run target to secure a 5-wicket win and a 1-0 lead in the series.
Team News: India’s Missing Stars and Australia’s Returnees
In terms of team news, India will be without some key players, including Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya, Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel, and Mohammed Shami. On the positive side, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Kuldeep Yadav have returned to strengthen the squad. Australia, on the other hand, is likely to field a full-strength team, with Pat Cummins taking over as captain and the return of Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Starc.
Australia’s Challenge: Avoiding a Whitewash
Australia, despite losing the series, will be determined to avoid a whitewash, especially after a series of high-scoring matches. Their bowling performance will be crucial to ending their five-match losing streak, as they have conceded substantial runs in recent games.
Key Players: Ashwin and Australia’s Death Bowling
In particular, the spotlight is on R Ashwin, who has made a comeback to the ODI format after a long absence. He has already shown his prowess with the ball in the first two ODIs, and if Axar Patel remains unfit, Ashwin could play a vital role for India. Australia’s death bowling, which has been under scrutiny, will also need improvement, with Mitchell Starc’s return expected to provide some much-needed relief.
Line-up Changes: Gill’s Absence and Kishan’s Opportunity
In terms of batting line-up changes, with Shubman Gill absent, Ishan Kishan could open the innings alongside Rohit Sharma for India. Bumrah and Siraj are expected to replace Shami and Prasidh Krishna in the bowling department.
Rajkot Pitch and Conditions: Another Run-fest Expected
The Rajkot pitch has a reputation for favoring batsmen, and with past matches witnessing high-scoring affairs, fans can expect another run-fest. The weather forecast for the day suggests partly cloudy conditions, but no rain interruptions are expected.
Stats and Trivia: Australia’s Losing Streak and Smith’s Milestone
Australia last lost five consecutive One-Day Internationals (ODIs) in 2020. This run included three games against South Africa and two against India. Australia has only lost more than five consecutive ODIs once, in 2018, when they lost seven. Steven Smith needs 20 runs to become Australia’s fourth-fastest ODI 5000-run hitter.
A Thrilling Showdown Awaits
