AUS vs IND: 3 key things India must get right to achieve win in the Sydney ODI vs Australia

Sydney Cricket Ground will host the third and final One-Day International between Australia and India on October 25. With the hosts having already clinched the three-match series 2-0, this game stands as a crucial opportunity for India to salvage pride and avoid a clean sweep. For players like Virat Kohli, who has registered two consecutive ducks, and a young Indian squad under Captain Shubman Gill, the match is a vital chance to show fighting spirit. The SCG crowd will be eager to witness a strong performance, particularly from their veteran stars, in what promises to be a competitive farewell to the series.

Australia vs India ODI series so far: A tale of two contrasts

The ODI series has been a disappointing one for the touring Indian side, who have struggled to click as a unit against a disciplined and opportunistic Australian team. The first match in Perth, a rain-affected fixture, saw India’s top order, including senior players Rohit Sharma and Kohli, collapse quickly, posting an insufficient total that Australia chased down comfortably.

The second match in Adelaide offered more resistance, with strong knocks from Rohit (73) and  Shreyas Iyer (61) pushing India to a competitive 264. However, the lack of a knockout punch from the Indian bowlers, coupled with key contributions from Australia’s younger batters like Matt Short and Cooper Connolly, allowed the hosts to clinch a thrilling two-wicket victory and seal the series.

Australia’s bowling has been stellar, with the pace trio and leg-spinner Adam Zampa consistently putting the Indian batters under pressure, while India’s decision to favour batting depth over a specialist wicket-taking spinner has been a major point of discussion and criticism. Gill’s first series as captain has been a learning curve, highlighted by his own modest returns and the team’s inability to convert strong starts into series-winning performances.

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3 things India need to do right to win the Sydney ODI vs Australia

In the third ODI, while India has already lost the series, there are three things they need to do. India will look to deliver in three key areas to win the final ODI against Australia in Sydney and avoid a series whitewash.

1. Virat Kohli must anchor and accelerate: Kohli needs to quickly get off the mark and settle into his innings, acting as the anchor for the Indian batting line-up.

• The Problem: Kohli has recorded two consecutive ducks in the series, a first in his ODI career, highlighting an uncharacteristic struggle for form. In the second ODI, he was dismissed for 0 off 4 balls.
• The Solution: The focus should be on rotating the strike early, as former players have suggested, to regain confidence. Once set, his natural game involves building an innings before accelerating. His overall ODI career strike rate of 93.27 proves he scores quickly once settled, a template the team desperately needs, allowing the younger batters to play around him freely.

2. Fast bowlers need to take wickets in the first powerplay: India’s pace attack must step up and exploit the new ball conditions to put immediate pressure on Australia’s strong top order.

• The Problem: Australian openers and top-order batsmen have consistently got off to strong starts, largely negating the new ball threat. India’s pacers have managed limited new-ball breakthroughs in the series so far. In the first two matches, India’s fast bowlers (Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna) have collectively taken only 7 wickets in total (4 in the first ODI and 3 in the second ODI).
• The Solution: Early wickets are crucial to disrupting Australia’s momentum. The pacers need to utilize any swing or seam movement on offer, pitching the ball up and targeting the stumps, to convert pressure into wickets and force Australia’s middle order into the game early.

3. Play Kuldeep Yadav to control the middle overs: Kuldeep Yadav‘s attacking wrist-spin must be introduced to seize control of the crucial middle overs (11-40), where India has failed to stem the flow of runs and take wickets.

• The Context: The Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) pitch is traditionally considered one of the most spin-friendly in Australia, featuring ‘Bulli soil’ which aids turn. SCG ODI data since 2010 shows that while pace takes more total wickets, an average winning score batting first is high (311), suggesting the need for a wicket-taking option to break partnerships.
• The Solution: Kuldeep has an excellent ODI record against Australia, with 31 wickets in 23 matches (Average: 39.7), and is a proven wicket-taker in the middle overs. His inclusion, possibly in place of a fast-bowling all-rounder, would inject a genuine wicket-taking threat, especially on a turning pitch, to prevent the opposition from building large partnerships.

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