IND vs AUS, 3rd ODI: Unbelievable Streak! India lose 18th straight toss to extend world record
India's poor luck continued as Shubman Gill lost his third consecutive toss as ODI captain. The Men in Blue will play for pride in Sydney after losing the three-match series by 2-0.
New Delhi: The Men in Blue have extended their unwanted record for losing the most consecutive tosses in ODIs to 18 after captain Shubman Gill lost the toss in the third ODI against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday, October 25. While India had already lost the three-match series against Australia by 2-0 before the Sydney clash, but have added another unwanted feat to their tally.
The Australian captain, Mitchell Marsh, won the toss and opted to bat first in Sydney. Team India had already broken the previous record of 11 back-to-back toss losses, which was held by the Netherlands, back in March during the 2025 Champions Trophy. Shubman Gill’s first series as India’s ODI captain didn't go as planned, with three consecutive toss losses and a series defeat after losing in Perth and Adelaide.
The streak started in the World Cup final against the same opponent in Ahmedabad on November 19, 2023, when Australia captain Pat Cummins won the toss against India's Rohit Sharma. Nearly two years later, the Men in Blue have still not won a single toss in ODIs.
Despite the toss losing streak, India have maintained a brilliant record when batting second, winning 10 games out of the 17 ODI matches in which they have lost the toss. The streak has become almost comical in the dressing room, as Shubman Gill was seen laughing with his teammates after losing the toss in the third ODI at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Longest toss losing streak in ODIs
18* - India (Nov 19 2023, to present)
11 - Netherlands (Mar 18 2011 to Aug 13 2013)
9 - Australia (Nov 6 1998 to Jan 24 1999)
9 - England (Jan 22 2017 to May 29 2017)
Kuldeep Yadav returns
The Men in Blue have made two changes to their playing XI. Kuldeep Yadav replaces Arshdeep Singh, and Prasidh Krishna comes in place of all-rounder Nitish Reddy, who sustained a left quadriceps injury during the Adelaide ODI and was unavailable for selection in the third ODI.
Kuldeep is playing his first match in the 50-over format since the 2025 Champions Trophy final in Dubai, which India won by defeating New Zealand. He was the highest wicket-taker in the two-match Test series against the West Indies, but missed the opening two games as Shubman Gill and Co. looked to strengthen their batting.