India approach the series finale against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday needing redemption after back-to-back defeats in Perth and Adelaide that sealed the three-match series. Head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill are expected to make key tactical adjustments to restore belief and momentum before the upcoming T20I leg.

Kuldeep Yadav to probably replace Washington Sundar in the final ODI

The most significant change likely involves replacing Washington Sundar with Kuldeep Yadavwhose omission from the first two games puzzled many former players. Kuldeep has been India’s leading limited-overs spinner since regaining rhythm earlier this year, yet he is yet to bowl a delivery in this series.

His stunning Asia Cup 2025 campaign where he took 17 wickets in seven matches at a miserly economy underlined his form, while his overall tally of 181 ODI wickets at an average below 27 reflects his consistency. Experts like Irfan Pathan and Parthiv Patel have argued that India’s preference for an extra batting option over Kuldeep has weakened their wicket-taking ability in the middle overs. They insist his variations and left-arm wrist spin could challenge Australia’s right-hand-heavy batting lineup more effectively than Sundar’s off-spin.

Sundar’s numbers in this series further support that view. He bowled just two overs in Perth taking a solitary wicket and although he improved slightly in Adelaide with two for 37, his batting returns were minimal. His overall ODI record against Australia remains modest with eight wickets in nine matches.

India’s choice to stack their lower order with all-rounders like Sundar, Axar Pateland Nitish Kumar Reddy has reduced bowling firepower, especially during phases where Australia’s young middle order dominated. Matthew Short and Cooper Connolly have repeatedly capitalized when Indian spinners failed to break partnerships, exposing India’s lack of control in crucial overs. Kuldeep’s inclusion thus becomes a strategic necessity rather than an experimental move.

Batting failures intensify pressure on leadership

While bowling depth remains under review, India’s batting vulnerabilities have equally contributed to their downfall. Virat Kohli’s rare slump, including successive ducks for the first time in his ODI career, has hurt India’s stability. Both dismissals to new-ball bowlers Mitchell Starc and Xavier Bartlett highlighted his struggle with early movement.

Gill’s form has also dipped as scores of 15 and nine leave India searching for leadership at the top. Rohit Sharma’s composed 73 in Adelaide offered brief respite, showing glimpses of his old rhythm following rigorous fitness work ahead of the tour. Shreyas Iyer’s fluent 61 reinforced his growing reliability at number four while Patel’s 44-run knock added depth to the lower order. KL Rahul and Suryakumar Yadavhowever, must convert starts into impactful innings to ensure India post defendable totals on a batting-friendly SCG surface.

The bowling attack could also witness reshuffling. Harshit Rana’s expensive outing in Adelaide may open the door for Prasidh Krishna whose height and seam movement suit Sydney’s conditions. Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh are likely to retain their spots after impressive spells with the new ball, while Patel continues as the second spinner. With India determined to avoid a whitewash and reclaim pride, the third ODI promises to test their adaptability ahead of an intense T20I series beginning next week.

India’s Probable XI for the third and final ODI

Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (c), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (wk), Kuldeep Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj