Australia win toss and opted to bat against India in 3rd ODI at Rajkot

Rajkot: Australia captain Pat Cummins won the toss and opted bat first against India in the 3rd ODI at Rajkot's SCA Stadium. Both teams have made five changes each. For Australia, Mitchell Starc and Glenn Maxwell make their comebacks, while Tanveer Sangha makes his ODI debut. Changes aplenty for For India as well, as Rohit Sharma mentioned in the press conference yesterday. 

The captain and Virat Kohli are back but in addition to Shubman Gill, Mohammed Shami, Shardul Thakur and Hardik Pandya's absence, India have also dropped Ravichandran Ashwin for Washington Sundar, whereas Ishan Kishan is unwell due to a viral. Additionally, four local state players Dharmendra Jadeja, Prerak Mankad, Vishwaraj Jadeja and Harvik Desai will support the team for drinks and fielding throughout the match.

Today marks the final showdown. The Rajkot ODI between India and Australia serves as the ultimate clash for both teams before they embark on their respective World Cup journeys. Even though we already have a winner in the series, this match is



far from a dead rubber. Only one game stands between the two teams and the grandest spectacle in cricket, the World Cup. And expect both to go all out, ensuring their line-ups and combinations are finely tuned. 

This might be the most consequential inconsequential ODI ever.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli make their return, and so do Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Starc. Their previous absence was palpable as India dominated Australia in the preceding two matches, claiming victory by five wickets and then a commanding 99 runs. 

Nevertheless, the Saurashtra Cricket Association stadium is poised to host the most star-studded clash of the series, even though there might not be much at stake. Or is there? Pat Cummins is likely to lead the Australian side, having been rested for the first game. Rohit resumes his captaincy duties after KL Rahul's commendable performance in the two previous games. However, the spotlight today will shine brightly on Ravichandran Ashwin.