Rohit Sharma struck his 33rd ODI century while Virat Kohli played a composed 74 not out to guide India to a nine-wicket victory over Australia in the third and final ODI at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday, salvaging pride after a 2-1 series loss.
Chasing a target of 237, India reached 237 for one in 38.3 overs, thanks to a 168-run second-wicket partnership between Rohit and Kohli in just 170 balls. Shubman Gill had given India a brisk start with 69 runs for the opening wicket before departing, handing the mantle to the senior duo.
Rohit’s innings was a masterclass in timing, footwork, and shot selection. He reached his century in 105 balls, marking his 33rd ODI hundred and the 50th international century across all formats, making him only the 10th player in history to achieve the milestone. Rohit combined elegance with aggression, dispatching deliveries to all parts of the park, including a signature inside-out six over covers off Adam Zampa.
Kohli, who had endured two successive ducks earlier in the series, was patient and precise, running singles, finding gaps, and striking boundaries at the right moments. He brought up his fifty in 56 balls and played with the calmness of a seasoned campaigner, providing perfect support to Rohit and ensuring the chase never faltered. Their partnership was celebrated by the ecstatic Sydney crowd, who witnessed vintage cricketing artistry from India’s stalwarts.
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Earlier, India’s bowlers laid the foundation for the chase. Harshit Rana was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 4 for 39, while Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar applied pressure at crucial stages to restrict Australia to a below-par 236 in 46.4 overs. Australia had started positively, with skipper Mitchell Marsh scoring 41 and Travis Head putting on 61 runs for the first wicket. However, once Head fell, Australia struggled to form meaningful partnerships, with only a 54-run stand between Renshaw (56) and Alex Carey providing some resistance.
India’s fielding was sharp, featuring a remarkable backward point catch by Kohli to dismiss Matthew Short and a running catch by Shreyas Iyer to remove Carey, though Iyer later left the field for assessment of a rib injury.
The match was as much a celebration of Rohit and Kohli’s enduring skill as it was a testament to India’s team effort. While the series went to Australia 2-1, the duo’s innings provided a fitting farewell performance on Australian soil, reminding cricket fans of their experience, flair, and resilience under pressure.
A brief scare came when Rohit was dropped by an alert fielder soon after reaching his century, but he and Kohli capitalised on the reprieve, accelerating the run chase with confident strokeplay.
The Men in Blue required just six runs off the final over, and Kohli sealed the win in style with a delicate shot past third man, ending the innings at 237 for 1. The victory showcased the resilience and experience of India’s senior batsmen and provided a fitting response to earlier setbacks in the series.
Brief scores:
Australia 236 all out (46.4 overs) – M. Marsh 41, T. Head 37, N. Renshaw 56, A. Carey 38; Extras 64. Bowling: H. Rana 4/39, W. Sundar 2/28, A. Patel 2/35, K. Yadav 2/44.
India 237/1 (38.3 overs) – S. Gill 69, R. Sharma 121*, V. Kohli 74*; Extras 2. Partnership: R. Sharma & V. Kohli 168 (2nd wicket).
Result: India won by 9 wickets; Series: Australia 2 – India 1
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