India’s skipper Rohit Sharma was named both Player of the Match and Player of the Series after his magnificent century at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) helped India clinch the third and final ODI against Australia. Speaking after the match, a visibly emotional Rohit opened up about his journey, preparation, and the value of experience while leading a young side Down Under.
“That’s what you expect in Australia, it’s not going to be easy. You got to understand the situation. Haven’t played for a long time, had a good prep coming here,” Rohit said after receiving the award.
Despite India losing the series 1–2, Rohit took pride in the team’s performance and praised the youngsters for stepping up in tough conditions.
“We couldn’t win the series, but we still take a lot of positives. There’ll be a lot of learnings for the youngsters. When I came for the first time, how the seniors helped us — it’s our job now to pass on that message. Never easy to travel abroad and play cricket, but the guys are pretty talented. You just need a game plan,” he added.
Rohit’s century — his 33rd in ODIs and 50th in international cricket — came after months of scrutiny, making it one of his most emotional knocks. His eyes welled up as he acknowledged the crowd, soaking in the applause from fans who cheered every shot of the Indian captain.
“I still go back to the basics of playing and that’s something I need to pass on to these guys. I love playing in Australia,” he concluded with a smile.
With both Rohit and Kohli hinting this might be their last tour of Australia, the moment carried the weight of reflection and legacy — marking an end of an era that defined Indian cricket’s dominance across continents.
