Sydney: India’s veteran duo Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have produced a batting clinic at the Sydney Cricket Ground, guiding their team to a commanding nine-wicket victory over Australia and preventing a series whitewash.
Rohit smashed his 33rd ODI century, remaining unbeaten on 121 off 125 balls, while Kohli roared back to form with a composed 74 not out, guiding India to chase down 237-1 with more than 11 overs to spare. The pair shared a majestic 168-run stand, their first hundred partnership since January 2020 — delighting a crowd of nearly 40,000 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
India bounce back after early series losses
Having already conceded the three-match series 2-0 following defeats in Perth and Adelaide, India produced a clinical performance in the final game. Fast bowler Harshit Rana starred with a career-best 4-39 as Australia were bundled out for 236 in 46.4 overs. All six Indian bowlers chipped in with wickets, marking one of the team’s most balanced bowling efforts in recent memory.
India captain Shubman Gill stated that, “We had a near-perfect game. Rohit and Kohli have done it for so many years – it was a delight to watch them bat together again.”
Rohit and Kohli roll back the years
Sharma, 38, was in imperious touch, peppering the boundary with 13 fours and three sixes, including two towering blows off Adam Zampa. His century was brought up with a calm single against the leg-spinner.
Kohli, 36, who had endured back-to-back ducks earlier in the series, found his rhythm with classic drives and precise cuts. His half-century came off 56 balls, and during his innings, he surpassed Kumar Sangakkara’s ODI run tally of 14,234, moving to 14,255 career runs — behind only Sachin Tendulkar’s legendary 18,426.
Both senior players will sit out the upcoming five-match T20I series against Australia starting October 29. While neither has confirmed retirement plans, speculation is mounting that this may have been their final ODI appearance in Australia.
Australia falter after solid start
Earlier, Australia appeared set for a competitive total at 183-3, with Matt Renshaw top-scoring with 56 in his maiden ODI half-century. However, a middle-order collapse saw the hosts lose four wickets for just 18 runs, crumbling to 236 all out.
Travis Head (29) and Mitchell Marsh (41) got starts but failed to capitalise, while Shreyas Iyer’s stunning catch and Washington Sundar’s two-wicket burst derailed the innings.
Marsh added that, “We needed one more partnership in the back-end of our innings. We had a great platform but couldn’t cash in.” India’s emphatic win not only ended the series on a high note but also underscored the enduring brilliance of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, two icons who continue to define Indian cricket’s golden era.
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