India cruised to a comfortable victory in the third and final ODI against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), chasing down the 237-run target with ease to end the series on a winning note.
Skipper Rohit Sharma (121 off 125) and Virat Kohli (70 off 80) were the architects of India’s win, stitching together a magnificent 164-run unbeaten partnership for the second wicket. The duo’s clinical batting display ensured that India reached 236/1 in 38.2 overs, wrapping up the chase with 70 balls to spare.
Rohit’s innings marked his 33rd ODI hundred and his 50th international century overall, making him the only batter with five or more hundreds in each of the three formats. His century also made him the visiting batter with the most ODI tons (6) in Australia, surpassing Virat Kohli and Kumar Sangakkara.
Earlier in the match, Australia posted 236 in 46.4 overs, with Harshit Rana impressing once again by claiming multiple wickets, including Cooper Connolly (23) and Alex Carey (24). The innings saw moments of concern as Shreyas Iyer suffered a rib injury and was taken to the hospital for evaluation, while Josh Hazlewood injured his finger while attempting a catch, resulting in visible bleeding.
Despite early hiccups in the series, India bounced back strongly, led by the experienced pairing of Rohit and Kohli — marking their first 100+ partnership in any format since January 2020. This victory not only helped India avoid a whitewash but also showcased the enduring brilliance of two of the game’s modern-day greats.
