Sydney, October 25: India ended their Australia tour on a high as captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli produced a vintage performance to seal a commanding nine-wicket win at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Saturday. The duo denied Australia a clean sweep and powered India to a morale-boosting victory.
🏏 Match Overview
Rohit smashed his 50th international century, while Kohli surpassed Kumar Sangakkara to become the second-highest run-scorer in ODI history. Their unbroken 137-run partnership guided India to 237/1 in 38.3 overs, chasing down Australia’s total of 236 with ease.
Earlier, Harshit Rana’s fiery spell of 4 for 39 restricted Australia to a below-par total. Despite Matt Renshaw’s maiden ODI fifty, the hosts struggled against India’s disciplined bowling attack.
🇮🇳 India’s Bowling Brilliance
Australia captain Mitchell Marsh elected to bat first, but India’s bowlers struck early. Mohammed Siraj removed Travis Head after his milestone of 3000 ODI runs, while Axar Patel dismissed Marsh for 41. Renshaw looked composed with a 56-run knock, but tight spells from Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, and Kuldeep Yadav stifled Australia’s scoring.
Shreyas Iyer took a stunning catch to remove Alex Carey but suffered a rib injury in the process. Rana then cleaned up the lower order, bowling Australia out for 236 in 46.4 overs.
🔥 Rohit-Kohli Partnership Steals the Show
Chasing 237, India got off to a brisk start with Rohit and Shubman Gill adding 68 runs in the PowerPlay. After Gill’s dismissal, Kohli joined Rohit, and the two veterans took control of the game.
Kohli, who had endured two ducks earlier in the series, regained his touch with elegant strokeplay, reaching his 75th ODI fifty. In the 32nd over, he overtook Sangakkara’s tally of ODI runs. Rohit soon reached his 33rd ODI hundred, sealing the win in the 39th over with a boundary.
India finished at 237/1, with Rohit unbeaten on 121* and Kohli on 74*, completing a dominant performance.
🎙️ Post-Match Reactions
Rohit Sharma (Player of the Match & Series):
“You’ve got to understand the conditions and execute your plans. The young players are learning well, and it’s our job as seniors to guide them. I love playing in Sydney—it’s always special.”
Virat Kohli:
“Chasing brings out the best in me. It’s always a pleasure batting with Rohit. We’ve done this for years, and it’s great to see it click again.”
Shubman Gill (India Captain):
“It was a near-perfect game. Harshit bowled beautifully, and our spinners were exceptional in the middle overs.”
Mitchell Marsh (Australia Captain):
“India were too good today. There’s plenty for our young players to learn from this experience.”
📊 Match Summary
Australia: 236 in 46.4 overs (Matt Renshaw 56, Mitchell Marsh 41; Harshit Rana 4-39, Washington Sundar 2-44)
India: 237/1 in 38.3 overs (Rohit Sharma 121*, Virat Kohli 74*)
Result: India won by 9 wickets
Player of the Match: Rohit Sharma
Player of the Series: Rohit Sharma
