India aim to prevent whitewash in final ODI

As the Indian team readies for the third and final ODI at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday, emotions are expected to run high.

- TRIDIB BAPARNASH

For many fans, this could well mark the last time they see modern greats Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in India's Blues on Australian soil.

Rohit, who first toured Australia during the 2007-08 CB Series, and Kohli, who made his mark here in the 2011-12 season with a sparkling Test century in Adelaide, have been at the heart of India’s golden generation.

But with no ODI series scheduled Down Under in the next two years, Saturday's clash might serve as their unofficial Australian swansong.

While Rohit fought valiantly in the previous game with a composed 73 off 97 balls albeit in a losing cause, Kohli’s twin ducks, his first-ever back-to-back failures in international cricket, have left fans wondering if the maestro’s glorious career is nearing its end.

Yet, as the teams walk out at the SCG, spectators will hope to see flashes of the old magic, the searing cover drives, the on-drives through midwicket and that trademark lofted shot over extra cover.