Axar Patel delivered a crucial breakthrough for India, removing Australia captain Mitchell Marsh for 41 runs. The Indian all-rounder’s brilliant spin bowling left Marsh struggling for space, as the ball sharply turned and struck the off-stump.

Marsh, attempting a back-foot drive, failed to read the spin and was beaten completely by the turn. The delivery perfectly exploited the batter’s vulnerability against spin, bringing an end to his innings.

The wicket injected fresh momentum into the game for India. KL Rahul erupted in celebration as the ball shattered the stumps. Australia’s captain struggled to counter Axar’s clever variation, and the breakthrough gave India a much-needed boost in this encounter.

Australia win toss, opt to bat first

Earlier, Australia won the toss Saturday and decided to bat first in the third and final one-day international against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

It was the 18th consecutive loss at the toss for India in an ODI match.

Australia has already clinched the series 2-0, winning Thursday's match in Adelaide by two wickets. Captain Marsh guided Australia to a seven-wicket victory with an unbeaten 46 in last Sunday's rain-interrupted, series-opening match in Perth.

Australia made one change Saturday — Nathan Ellis back in the side for Xavier Bartlett. India made two — Kuldeep Yadav and Prasidh Krishna were included.

India's eight-game tour continues with a five-game T20 series starting next Wednesday. After this series, Australia will play the Ashes test series against England.

Lineups:

Australia: Mitchell Marsh (captain), Travis Head, Matthew Short, Matthew Renshaw, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Mitchell Owen, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.

India: Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, K.L. Rahul, Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj. (With inputs from Agencies)