Will Australia Bat First Against India in the 3rd ODI?
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Synopsis
In an exciting third ODI at the SCG, Australia has chosen to bat first after winning the toss. With the series already clinched, India aims to avoid a clean sweep by introducing new players into the lineup. Can India secure a victory against a strong Australian team?
Key Takeaways
- Australia opts to bat first in the third ODI.
- India introduces Kuldeep Yadav and Prasidh Krishna to their lineup.
- Shubman Gill emphasizes the need to seize opportunities.
- BCCI updates on injured player Nitish Kumar Reddy.
- Nathan Ellis returns for Australia.
Sydney, Oct 25 (NationPress) Australia has won the toss and opted to bat first in the third ODI at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Saturday. With victories in Perth and Adelaide, Australia has already secured the series.
India, on the other hand, is eager to prevent a clean sweep in the ODI series against Australia for the first time. To achieve a consolation win, India has introduced Kuldeep Yadav, a left-arm wrist-spinner, and Prasidh Krishna, a seamer, replacing Arshdeep Singh and Nitish Kumar Reddy.
“We would have bowled first. Have a target on the total and then try to chase down, I think we got what we wanted. We had just enough runs (in the last game) on the board and a couple of chances coming our way which we couldn't take,” said India captain Shubman Gill.
“That happens in the game of cricket; you've got to seize your opportunities. The match was quite balanced until around the 40th over. In the end, they executed well. We hope this game proves advantageous for us,” he added.
According to an update from the BCCI prior to the toss, Reddy is unavailable for selection due to a left quadriceps injury sustained during the second game in Adelaide. The medical team is monitoring his status daily. Reddy is also part of India’s squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series in Australia.
Australia, in contrast, has reinstated Nathan Ellis in place of Xavier Bartlett. “The pitch looks promising. It’s going to be a lovely day at the SCG. The way our young players stepped up at the end is a positive sign for our team. Today presents a great opportunity to go 3-0 up in the series. Cooper Connolly is a composed player and performed exceptionally in the last match,” stated captain Mitchell Marsh.
Playing XIs
India: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (captain), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (wk), Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna
Australia: Mitchell Marsh (captain), Travis Head, Matthew Short, Matt Renshaw, Alex Carey (wk), Cooper Connolly, Mitchell Owen, Nathan Ellis, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, and Josh Hazlewood
–IANS
Point of View
It's crucial to highlight the significance of this match for both teams. Australia seeks to solidify their dominance, while India fights to restore pride. With key players out and new faces in, the dynamics of this match are anticipated to be compelling.
NationPress
25/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the toss in the 3rd ODI?
Australia won the toss and elected to bat first.
Which players have been introduced in the Indian squad?
Kuldeep Yadav and Prasidh Krishna have been brought in to replace Arshdeep Singh and Nitish Kumar Reddy.
What is the location of the 3rd ODI?
The match is being held at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).
What is the current series status?
Australia has already clinched the series after winning the first two ODIs.
