Rohit Sharma & Virat Kohli Face Australia: India Risks Rare ODI Whitewash in Sydney
With a dismal record at the SCG and recent series losses piling up, India must regroup or risk a sixth bilateral ODI whitewash in history.
Sydney, Oct 25: India risks a rare bilateral ODI whitewash in Sydney as the team prepares for the final match of the series against Australia, potentially marking a farewell for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli on Australian soil. In 1,068 ODI matches, India has suffered only five whitewashes in bilateral series against West Indies (1983, 1989), South Africa (2006, 2022), and New Zealand (2020). Saturday’s match could be the sixth if the team fails to reverse its fortunes at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), where India has lost 16 of 19 matches against Australia.
The SCG also holds sentimental significance for both Rohit and Kohli. Kohli last played a Test in Sydney and, after successive ducks in recent games, may be playing his final match for India in Australia. Rohit, meanwhile, holds fond memories, having starred in victories in 2008 CB Tri-Series and the 2016 ODI against Australia, when Jasprit Bumrah made his international debut.
However, India’s current ODI combinations have struggled. The team’s strategy of three all-rounders and a thin bowling attack, along with benching match-winner Kuldeep Yadav, backfired on Australia’s fast and true pitches. Young pacer Harshit Rana showed promise but lacked consistency, suggesting he needs more domestic experience before becoming a regular fixture. Prasidh Krishna could be an alternative option, while Yashasvi Jaiswal might be tried at the top of the order.
Tactically, India could also reconsider KL Rahul at No. 6, given his impressive record there, rather than persisting with Axar Patel at No. 5, which hasn’t consistently yielded results on bowler-friendly pitches. Meanwhile, Australia showcased the depth of its talent pool, with Matt Short, Cooper Connolly, and Mitch Owen outperforming their IPL counterparts.
India’s post-2019 World Cup ODI record has been patchy, with series losses to New Zealand, South Africa, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Australia highlighting the need for urgent recalibration. With the SCG looming, India must regroup or risk another historic whitewash, ending a challenging Australian tour on a sour note.
