It happened again. On a bright Saturday at the Sydney Cricket Ground, new India captain Shubman Gill called wrong at the toss, handing Australia the choice to bat first. This wasn’t just a minor setback—it was the team’s 18th consecutive loss in an ODI coin flip, a staggering statistical anomaly that has now become a full-blown narrative of its own .
The probability of such a streak? A mind-boggling 1 in 262,144, or just 0.00038% . Yet, here we are.
IND vs AUS: A Captain’s Unwanted Record
Shubman Gill, who was recently named as India’s new ODI skipper for this tour , has now lost all three tosses in his fledgling captaincy career against Australia . It’s an inauspicious start for a leader tasked with ushering in a new era for the Men in Blue.
Despite the mounting pressure of this “toss curse,” reports suggest the Indian camp is comfortable bowling first at the SCG . The pitch, described as “rock hard” with some early green cover, could offer a bit of assistance to the pacers in the first 10-15 overs before settling into a batting paradise .
India’s Toss Woes: A Timeline of Misfortune
This bizarre streak began in November 2023 and has now stretched across two World Cups and multiple series . The previous 15 losses came under the leadership of Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul, and the last three have fallen on Gill’s shoulders .
Ironically, despite losing the toss so consistently, India has still managed to win 10 of those 18 matches . This suggests the team’s on-field performance can overcome the initial disadvantage—but the psychological weight of the streak is undeniable.
Shubman Gill: Leading Through the Storm
Gill’s personal form against Australia has been a mixed bag. In 8 ODIs, he’s scored 280 runs, including a century, but has struggled for consistency in this current series . Now, as captain, his role extends beyond just run-scoring; he must rally his team to break not just the toss jinx, but also the 2-0 series deficit.
His leadership is being tested immediately. With senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli absent from the squad , the onus is on Gill to build a new core and instill a winning belief.
Can India Break the Curse in Sydney?
The SCG has historically been a happy hunting ground for Australia against India, but the pitch report offers a glimmer of hope. While it’s expected to be batting-friendly, the early moisture and cracks could provide India’s seamers with a crucial window to strike .
If they can capitalize on that phase and restrict Australia to a manageable total, the batting unit—led by their young captain—will have a chance to script a comeback and, perhaps, finally end the infamous streak with a win.
| Stat | Detail |
|---|---|
| Consecutive ODI Toss Losses | 18 (Nov 2023 – Oct 2025) |
| Wins in those 18 matches | 10 |
| Gill’s Toss Record as Captain (vs AUS) | 0 wins in 3 attempts |
| Probability of 18-loss streak | 0.00038% (1 in 262,144) |
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