Sydney, October 25: Indian cricket greats Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli produced a batting exhibition for the ages at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Saturday, powering India to a commanding nine-wicket win over Australia and denying the hosts a clean sweep in the ODI series.
Rohit marked the night with his 50th international century, while Kohli surpassed Kumar Sangakkara to become the second-highest run-scorer in ODI history, cementing his place among cricket’s all-time elite.
Their first century stand across formats since early 2020 guided India to a comfortable chase of 238, wrapping up the game in just 39 overs to finish the series on a high.
Rana, Sundar Lead India’s Bowling Charge
Earlier, India’s young pace sensation Harshit Rana delivered a breakthrough performance, claiming 4 for 41 to restrict Australia to 237 in 47 overs.
Matthew Renshaw scored a gritty 57—his maiden ODI fifty—while Mitchell Marsh (41) and Travis Head (33) got starts but couldn’t capitalise.
India’s spinners Axar Patel (2/34) and Washington Sundar (1/38) applied relentless pressure in the middle overs, choking Australia’s scoring rate.
A brilliant diving catch from Shreyas Iyer to dismiss Alex Carey ended a budding partnership, though Iyer later left the field with a rib injury. Australia’s lower order folded quickly as Kuldeep Yadav and Rana cleaned up the tail.
Rohit, Kohli Roll Back the Years
Chasing 238, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill gave India a brisk start, adding 68 runs in the PowerPlay. After Gill’s dismissal for 35, Virat Kohli joined Rohit to deliver a masterclass in timing and temperament.
Despite a few early testing deliveries from Josh Hazlewood, Kohli soon settled, finding fluency as the pair added an unbeaten 172-run partnership—their 19th century stand in ODIs.
Rohit reached his 60th ODI half-century before converting it into his 33rd ODI hundred, while Kohli notched his 75th ODI fifty and overtook Sangakkara with his 14,235th ODI run.
Fittingly, Rohit finished the chase with a boundary, sealing India’s first ODI win at the SCG since 2019.
Score Summary
Australia: 237 all out in 47 overs (Renshaw 57, Marsh 41, Rana 4/41, Axar 2/34)
India: 238/1 in 39 overs (Rohit 113, Kohli 82, Gill 35)
Result: India won by 9 wickets
