Australian captain Mitchell Marsh won the toss and elected to bat first in the third and final ODI against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday, marking India's 18th consecutive toss loss in ODIs since their 2023 World Cup triumph. With the series already sealed 2-0 in Australia's favor after commanding victories in Perth and Adelaide, Marsh opted to exploit a batting-friendly pitch under clear skies and mild spring conditions, temperatures ranging from 17-25°C with no rain interruptions forecast.

Australia made one change, bringing in Nathan Ellis for Xavier Bartlett to bolster their pace attack, while India introduced Kuldeep Yadav and Prasidh Krishna in place of the injured Nitish Kumar Reddy and Arshdeep Singh, aiming to inject variety into their bowling amid a transitional lineup led by stand-in skipper Shubman Gill. The sold-out 48,000-capacity crowd buzzed with anticipation, many drawn by the prospect of witnessing Virat Kohli's potential farewell bilateral appearance Down Under before the 2027 World Cup.

Openers Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh provided Australia a blistering powerplay start, racing to 61 without loss in the first 10 overs at a run rate exceeding six, with Head's aggressive strokeplay—featuring multiple boundaries—setting an ominous tone against an Indian seam attack struggling for breakthroughs. Mohammed Siraj, tasked with opening the bowling, delivered the early incision in the 10th over, inducing a false shot from Head for 29 off 25 balls, caught brilliantly by Prasidh Krishna at point to stem the flow and reduce Australia to 63 for 1. Marsh, anchoring the innings with a measured yet forceful 26 off 33 (including three fours and a six), looked set to build partnerships, but the wicket shifted momentum subtly toward India, who turned to spin earlier than anticipated to exploit any middle-over slowdown on the SCG surface historically favoring totals around 270-280.

As Australia rebuilt through Marsh and promoted No. 3 Matthew Short, a dramatic moment unfolded in the 13th over when Kuldeep Yadav's wrong'un foxed Marsh attempting a slog sweep, prompting KL Rahul to claim an edge and convince Gill for a review—only for UltraEdge to reveal no contact, squandering India's last review and handing the hosts a vital let-off at a score of 85 for 1.

The blunder amplified frustrations for an Indian side desperate to avoid their first bilateral ODI whitewash against Australia in 41 years, a blemish that would join infamous series defeats like the 3-0 losses to New Zealand in 2020 and South Africa in 2022. Axar Patel capitalised swiftly thereafter, castling Marsh for 41 off 50 in the 15.1 over with a skiddy arm-ball to leave Australia at 88 for 2, injecting fresh energy as Short (unbeaten on 17 off 20) and Matt Renshaw (3 off 4) steadied the ship at 98 for 2 after 16.3 overs.

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With the day-night fixture poised for a full quota under floodlights, Australia's depth—bolstered by rested stars like Glenn Maxwell returning for T20Is—positions them for a clean sweep, extending their six-match ODI winning streak at the SCG. For India, the review gaffe and Kohli's ongoing quest for redemption after twin ducks underscore a transitional phase, where young guns like Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal must rally the bowling to restrict the hosts below par. Post-series, attention shifts to five T20Is from October 29, offering Jasprit Bumrah's return and chances for redemption, but Saturday's dead rubber remains a pride-laden battle in cricket's fiercest rivalry, where even consolation victories carry symbolic weight.

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