India faces Australia in the third and final ODI in Sydney on Saturday, October 25, 2025, aiming to avoid a series whitewash after losing the first two matches. With the series already decided, India is expected to make changes to their playing XI, giving opportunities to players who haven't featured in the previous games.
One of the most anticipated changes is the likely inclusion of Kuldeep Yadav. The star spinner, who was surprisingly left out of the first two ODIs, is expected to replace either Washington Sundar or Nitish Kumar Reddy. Kuldeep's inclusion would bolster the spin attack and provide variety to the bowling lineup.
However, it seems Harshit Rana may not find a place in the predicted XI. Despite India's struggles in the bowling department, particularly in the powerplay, Rana has not been able to make a strong case for his inclusion.
Another key consideration for India is the workload management of captain Shubman Gill. Having played extensively across all formats, Gill might be rested ahead of the T20I series and the upcoming all-format series against South Africa. If Gill decides to take a break, Shreyas Iyer is likely to lead the team in the third ODI. However, Gill may choose to lead from the front and aim to guide India to a win in the series finale. If Gill is rested, Yashasvi Jaiswal could be given a chance to open the innings.
Virat Kohli's form is also a major concern for India. The former captain has registered back-to-back ducks in the series, raising questions about his place in the playing XI. However, BCCI vice president Rajeev Shukla has dismissed reports suggesting this may be his last international match. Kohli will be hoping to turn things around in what could be his final appearance on Australian soil.
Rohit Sharma's return to form in the second ODI is a positive sign for India. The experienced opener scored a gritty 73 in Adelaide and will be looking to continue his good form in Sydney. The middle order, including Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul, will also need to step up and contribute significantly with the bat.
India's predicted XI for the 3rd ODI vs Australia could be:
- Shubman Gill (c) / Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Rohit Sharma
- Virat Kohli
- Shreyas Iyer
- KL Rahul (wk)
- Axar Patel
- Washington Sundar
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Arshdeep Singh
- Prasidh Krishna
- Mohammed Siraj
The focus will be on the veteran duo of Rohit Sharma and Kohli. Rohit played an important knock of 73 runs in the previous match and will be hoping to keep up with the momentum. Kohli, on the other hand, needs to find his form to keep his place in the playing XI.
