As the Indian team readies for the third and final ODI at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday, emotions are expected to run high. For many fans, this could well mark the last time they see modern greats Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in India’s Blues on Australian soil.
Rohit, who first toured Australia during the 2007–08 CB Series, and Kohli, who made his mark here in the 2011–12 season with a sparkling Test century in Adelaide, have been at the heart of India’s golden generation. But with no ODI series scheduled Down Under in the next two years, Saturday’s clash might serve as their unofficial Australian swansong.
While Rohit fought valiantly in the previous game with a composed 73 off 97 balls albeit in a losing cause, Kohli’s twin ducks, his first-ever back-to-back failures in international cricket, have left fans wondering if the maestro’s glorious career is nearing its end.
Yet, as the teams walk out at the SCG, spectators will hope to see flashes of the old magic, the searing cover drives, the on-drives through midwicket and that trademark lofted shot over extra cover.
Beyond the emotional quotient, the game carries a competitive edge. Gautam Gambhir’s side will be desperate to avoid a 0–3 whitewash, a result that would sting, even with the next ODI World Cup still two years away. India’s record at the SCG doesn’t inspire much comfort either, with just one win in their last five ODIs at the venue.
The team’s balance has been under scrutiny after two heavy defeats. Gambhir and the team management’s push for multi-skilled players has often resulted in a side filled with bits-and-pieces cricketers.
The likes of Nitish Kumar Reddy and Harshit Rana have shown glimpses of potential but remain unpolished at this level. Reddy underused with the bat at No.8 and innocuous with the ball, and Rana unable to sustain his pace across spells. Prasidh Krishna’s inclusion could provide the cutting-edge India sorely needs.
One consistent performer has been Axar Patel, who continues to enhance his all-round credentials with disciplined bowling and crucial lower-order runs. His emergence could well keep the team from rushing Ravindra Jadeja back into the 50-over setup.
For Australia, the series has been a statement of intent as they begin charting their course toward the next ODI World Cup after the retirements of Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis from the format. Youngsters like Matthew Short, Mitchell Owen and Cooper Connolly have impressed with their maturity and game awareness, handling pressure situations with calm assurance.
Spinners Matt Kuhnemann and Adam Zampa could once again pair up after troubling India earlier in the series, while opener Travis Head will look to sign off with a trademark counterattacking knock.
But more than anything else, Saturday’s contest could be much more than a ‘mere dead rubber’ as all eyes will be on the two legends of Indian cricket — Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli — in what could be their final dance on Australian turf.
Squads:
India: Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna.
Australia: Mitchell Marsh (captain), Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey (wk), Jos Inglis (wk), Cooper Connolly, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Jack Edwards, Mitchell Owen, Josh Philippe, Matthew Renshaw, Matthew Short, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Matt Kuhnemann.