 "India have lost their 18th consecutive toss in ODIs. Image: JioHotstar")
It’s almost becoming a joke now as India just can’t seem to win a toss in One-Day Internationals. On Saturday, during the third ODI against Australia , Shubman Gill once again lost the toss as Mitchell Marsh chose to bat first, extending India’s unwanted record to 18 consecutive toss losses in ODIs dating back to the 2023 World Cup final against the same side.
This bizarre streak began on that fateful night in Ahmedabad when former skipper Rohit Sharma lost the toss to Pat Cummins in the World Cup final, a match that still upsets Indian fans. Since then, every single ODI toss has gone against the Men in Blue, regardless of venue, opposition, or captain.
Kuldeep Yadav is back
Meanwhile, India have brought in Kuldeep Yadav into the playing XI along with Prasidh Krishna. Nitish Kumar Reddy and Arshdeep Singh have been rested for the final ODI of the series. Australia have made one change to their playing XI, with Nathan Ellis back in for Xavier Bartlett.
“We would have bowled first to be honest. Have a target and then try and chase it. I think we got what we wanted. We had enough runs in the last game and just missed a couple of chances. We’ve made two changes. Kuldeep and Prasidh come in for Reddy and Arshdeep,” Gill said at the toss.
India vs Australia playing XIs
Australia playing XI: Mitchell Marsh (c), Travis Head, Matthew Short, Matthew Renshaw, Alex Carey (wk), Cooper Connolly, Mitchell Owen, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
India’s playing XI: Shubman Gill (c), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (wk), Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj