India vs Australia 3rd ODI Highlights: Vintage partnership between Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli gives IND big SCG win

India vs Australia 3rd ODI LIVE Updates: Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma share an embrace during their match-winning partnership.

India vs Australia 3rd ODI Highlights: A nine wicket win with nearly 12 overs to spare against an under-par total, but the story of this match will always be Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma joining forces to remind the Australian crowd exactly what they will miss in years to come. Rolling back the years, putting together the classiest of 168*-run partnerships. Virat Kohli bounces back with 74* after two ducks, but it was Rohit Sharma's 121* that will maek headlines, his 33rd ODI century.

Rohit Sharma's love affair with the SCG continues as he scored his 60th ODI fifty – his third at this venue and second on the bounce. The moment we had all been waiting for is here. Virat Kohli joined Rohit after the dismissal of Shubman Gill. He saw off a few nervy moments before helping himself to three quick boundaries. The partnership between the two batting stalwarts is growing, with Australia desperate to send back at least one of these two legends.

Australia are bowled out on 326, with Matt Renshaw scoring 56 and Mitchell Marsh with 41, but nobody else really able to contribute. The hosts threatened to get to nearly 300 at one stage, but a collapse right before the 40th over mark ensured that India clawed things back. All bowlers used register in the wickets colum, but Harshit Rana earns some confidence with a 4-fer. India narrowly have their noses ahead heading into the second innings.

Kuldeep Yadav finally gets his chance to show his skills in the ODI series vs Australia, coming in to the Indian team after Nitish Kumar Reddy misses out due to an injury. Prasidh Krishna also comes in, with Nathan Ellis coming in for the hosts. Australia win the toss and opt to bat first.

Shubman Gill and his men arrive at the iconic SCG looking to avoid a 3-0 sweep after a narrow defeat in Adelaide left the series beyond their reach. The home team, buoyed by two clinical wins, will look to hold on to its form and carry the momentum they have gained, completing a whitewash.

The battle in SCG will not be about numbers or trophies for India; it is about prestige and pride. While Gill would not want his first venture as an ODI captain to end in a humiliating whitewash, players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be eager not to return empty-handed from their last visit down under.

IND vs AUS: Head-to-Head in ODIs

When it comes to ODI cricket, Australia have dominated the competition against India. The two teams have played 152 matches in the format, with Australia winning 84 of those games, and India emerging victorious on 58 occasions. 10 of these matches have ended in a no-result.

When it comes to ODIs at the SCG, India have won only 5 of the 21 games they have played here. Their record against Australia at the venue is even poorer, with only 2 wins and 16 defeats.

India vs Australia 3rd ODI playing XIs

AUS Playing XI: Mitchell Marsh (c), Travis Head, Matthew Short, Matt Renshaw, Alex Carey (wk), Cooper Connolly, Mitchell Owen, Nathan Ellis, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

IND Playing XI: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (c), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (wk), Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj

IND vs AUS: SCG pitch report

The pitch at the Sydney cricket ground has traditionally been batting-friendly. The pacers might get a bit of seam movement with the new ball in the first few overs. As the game progresses, the wicket will slow down a tad, and the spinners could be effective in the middle overs.

Recent data shows that 270-280 total is possible at this venue. Interestingly, the venue has favoured the team that has batted first in ODIs. So, the captain winning the toss might look to set a target in this game.

IND vs AUS: Form check ahead of 3rd ODI

Australia

Mitchell Marsh

The Australian skipper played a handy knock in Perth in the first ODI. Although Mitchell Marsh did not score big in the second game, there is a chance that he finds the best version of himself on a track that is expected to suit the batters.

Matt Short

India lost a close game in Adelaide, and one of the main reasons behind it was the knock played in the middle order by Matt Short. He scored 74 runs off 78 deliveries and ensured that the match remained out of India’s reach.

Adam Zampa

The Aussie leg spinner did not play in the first match, but worked wonders on his return. In Adelaide, Adam Zampa picked up four wickets and established control for his team in the middle-overs. With his experience and ongoing form, Zampa will be a player to watch out for in the game.

India

Rohit Sharma

After an average outing in Perth, a different version of Rohit Sharma came out to bat in Adelaide. During the second ODI, Sharma was ready to spend time and find his way through the difficult times. He is coming into this match after 73 off 97 balls in the previous game and will be hoping to translate the form into another innings of substance.

Shreyas Iyer

The newly appointed vice-captain of India bats at the crucial number four and showed great character in the last match. Shreyas Iyer is also coming into this match with a half-century under his belt and will be keen to continue his form.

Arshdeep Singh

The left-arm pacer has so far looked the best part of the Indian bowling in this series. Arshdeep Singh has picked up early wickets in both of the games and has troubled the batters with his line and length. With the wicket-taking momentum that he has, Arshdeep will be a key player for the visitors in Sydney.