5 wins, 16 defeats- India’s trial by fire in Sydney:Men in Blue at risk of suffering their first-ever clean sweep in Rohit-Virat’s Australia farewell

India’s much-anticipated ODI series against Australia has not quite gone to plan. The series, which marked the return of stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to international cricket, witnessed both stars struggle for form in the 1st ODI. In the series opener at Perth, Rohit fell for 8 and Kohli for a duck as India slumped to a seven-wicket loss in a rain-affected contest.Shubman Gill’s men showed more fight in the second ODI at Adelaide. Rohit top-scored with 73 (97 balls) but with Kohli dismissed for another duck, India’s 264/9 was comfortably chased down by Australia with 22 balls to spare. With the series already decided, the visitors now head to Sydney staring at the possibility of a 3–0 whitewash- something Australia have never managed against India in ODIs on home soil. Also Read | Mohsin Naqvi moves Asia Cup trophy to Abu Dhabi India’s Sydney struggles Sydney hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for India. In 22 ODIs at the venue, India have won only five, while Australia have triumphed 16 times; one game ended without a result. The only previous instance when Australia came close to a whitewash was back in 1984, when they went 3–0 up before the final two matches were abandoned. 3 T20Is to follow ODI series After the conclusion of the three-match ODI series, the two teams will lock horns in a three-match T20I series. A win in the final ODI would help them gain confidence as the Men in Blue head into the T20Is. Also Read | 5 Reasons for India’s loss in 2nd ODI against Australia Meanwhile, with both Virat and Rohit active only in ODIs, it will be the final chance for fans to get to see the two of them in action in some time. Virat will also want to get some runs under his belt after getting out for two ducks in two innings so far. With no tour scheduled in Australia until 2027, this could also be the final outing of the two greats Down Under.