Australia have taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series against India, showing complete dominance in home conditions. The series win came after convincing victories in Perth and Adelaide, with the third and final ODI set to be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on October 25.
The first ODI was played at the Optus Stadium in Perth, where Australia won the toss and opted to bowl first on a green-tinged surface that offered good bounce and movement. For India, this match was special as senior stars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma returned to the playing XI after a short break following the Champions Trophy final. However, their comeback didn’t go as planned.
India struggled right from the start. The Australian pacers made full use of the conditions, swinging the new ball both ways and putting India’s top order under pressure. Virat Kohli, who has often been the backbone of India’s batting in Australia, fell for a duck — his first-ever in Australian conditions. Rohit Sharma managed just 8 runs before edging one to the slips. The wickets kept falling regularly, and India could never really settle.
KL Rahul was the only batsman who looked somewhat comfortable, scoring 38 runs with patience and timing. Apart from him, no other batter crossed 30. The middle order collapsed against the pace of Josh Hazlewood and the spin of Adam Zampa, and India were restricted to 136 for 9 in 26 overs, as the match was reduced due to rain interruptions.
Chasing a revised target under the D/L method, Australia made light work of the chase. Mitchell Marsh played a fluent innings of 46 runs, while Philippe and Renshaw added valuable contributions to guide their team to a seven-wicket win. Australia reached 131 for 3 in 21.1 overs, sealing the match comfortably and taking a 1-0 lead in the series.
The second ODI took place in Adelaide, and once again, Australia decided to bowl first after winning the toss. This time, India’s batters looked more settled. Rohit Sharma and Shreyas Iyer stitched together a solid partnership that gave India a fighting total. Rohit was at his fluent best, scoring 73 runs off 87 balls with classic pull shots and drives through cover. Iyer continued his consistent form, contributing 61 runs with smart running and clean hitting
Towards the end of the innings, Axar Patel provided a late boost with a quick 44-run cameo, ensuring India crossed the 260-run mark. India finished at 264 for 9 in 50 overs — a respectable total but still a bit below par on the Adelaide surface.
For Australia, leg-spinner Adam Zampa was once again the standout bowler. His clever variations and flight troubled the Indian batters throughout the innings. He picked up four crucial wickets, including that of Rohit Sharma, to restrict India’s scoring rate in the middle overs.
In reply, Australia’s chase was calm and calculated. Despite losing two early wickets, the home side never looked in real trouble. Youngsters Matthew Short and Cooper Connolly played mature innings under pressure. Short smashed 74 runs with power and precision, while Connolly added a composed 61 runs. Their 120-run partnership took Australia close to the finish line. Eventually, they chased down the target with eight wickets in hand, winning the series 2-0 with one match still to play.
With the series already gone, India now face some tough questions ahead of the final ODI in Sydney. The batting unit, which has long been India’s strength, has looked fragile on these bouncy Australian tracks. The lack of partnerships and frequent collapses have been major worries. The absence of consistency from senior players like Rohit and Kohli has added to the pressure on the middle order
Reports suggest that for the third ODI, Yashasvi Jaiswal is set to open the innings in place of Shubman Gill, who will be rested. The young left-hander, known for his aggressive style, could bring some much-needed spark to India’s top order. Shreyas Iyer is expected to lead the Team India.
On the bowling front, India might consider giving a chance to some of their bench players. With the series result already decided, it could be the right time to test players like Kuldeep Yadav or Prasidh Krishna, who have been waiting for opportunities.
For Australia, this series has been a confidence booster ahead of the busy international calendar. Their bowling attack has been sharp, their batting balanced, and the youngsters have shown maturity beyond their years. Players like Matthew Short and Cooper Connolly stepping up to perform in key moments show the depth Australia possesses in their white-ball setup.
Adam Zampa’s performance in both matches also underlines his importance as Australia’s premier spinner in limited-overs cricket. With the World Cup cycle in mind, these consistent performances from both senior and new players are encouraging signs for the home side.
The final ODI at the Sydney Cricket Ground promises to be an exciting contest despite the series already being decided. India will look to avoid a clean sweep and finish the tour on a positive note, while Australia will aim for a 3-0 whitewash to make a statement on home soil.
With Jaiswal’s expected debut, Iyer’s leadership, and some fresh faces possibly coming in, Indian fans will be eager to see how the team responds to adversity. For Australia, it’s about maintaining their momentum and continuing their dominance.
No matter the outcome, the third ODI at the SCG will be another opportunity for both teams to fine-tune their plans and build confidence for the upcoming tournaments.
