Australia vs India 3rd ODI: Rohit Sharma leads India to 9-wicket win; seals series 3-0 with another dominant chase at SCG

India completed a commanding 9-wicket victory over Australia in the third ODI at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), chasing down a target of 237 in just 38.3 overs to seal a 3-0 series whitewash.

Rohit Sharma, who was also named Player of the Match and Player of the Series, anchored the chase with a sublime knock, showcasing effortless timing and composure. The Indian skipper’s innings, coupled with consistent support from the top order, ensured that India never lost control of the match.

Earlier, Australia were bundled out for 236 in 46.4 overs, with Harshit Rana starring with the ball, claiming 4 wickets for 39 runs. The win marked another clinical performance from India, underlining their dominance ahead of the upcoming home series.

A massive roar echoed across the Sydney Cricket Ground as Virat Kohli opened his account after two consecutive ducks in the series. Facing Josh Hazlewood at 139.9 km/h, Kohli leaned forward to clip a full delivery towards midwicket for a quick single — and immediately pumped his fist in relief as the crowd gave him a standing ovation.

Kohli’s arrival had already electrified the atmosphere, with fans on their feet to greet him, aware this could be his final international appearance in Australia. After a tense start, the single helped settle nerves both in the middle and among Indian supporters.

Score update: India 12/1 (3.3 overs) — Kohli *1(2)**, Rohit on strike.

Harshit Rana starred with the ball, claiming a superb 4-wicket haul as India bowled out Australia for 236 at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). The pacer finished with figures of 4/39 in 8.4 overs, dismantling the lower order with sharp variations and disciplined lines.

Australia’s innings folded after a late collapse — losing five wickets in the final 10 overs for just 41 runs. Earlier, Matthew Short (30) and Alex Carey (24) offered resistance, but India’s spinners and Rana ensured regular breakthroughs.

The spotlight now shifts to India’s chase, with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill set to open the innings.
Score update: Australia 236 all out (46.4 overs) — Harshit Rana 4/39, Prasidh Krishna 1/52.

Harshit Rana provided India with another breakthrough as Alex Carey fell for 24 off 37 balls. The left-hander went after a short ball outside off but ended up slicing it high into the air. Shreyas Iyer, running back from backward point, timed his leap perfectly to complete an excellent catch, though he appeared to injure himself in the process.

The partnership, which had helped Australia stabilize after two quick wickets, was broken just as Carey looked set to accelerate. Rana’s sharp pace (134 km/h) and persistence paid off as India continued to claw back control in the middle overs.

Breakthrough for India! Mohammed Siraj gets the crucial wicket of Travis Head (29 off 25), who looked dangerous after a flurry of boundaries. Head attempted to pull but mistimed it, offering a catch to Prasidh Krishna at mid-on. The early stand of 61 runs between Head and Mitchell Marsh comes to an end.

Score update: Australia 61/1 (9.2 overs) — Marsh *25(31)**, Head 29(25) out c Prasidh b Siraj.

Prasidh Krishna tightened things up after a costly first over, conceding just 3 runs in his second. He consistently hit the 140–142 km/h mark, mixing short-of-length deliveries with a yorker to keep both Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head quiet. The Australian openers, however, continue to rotate the strike comfortably.
Score update: Australia 57/0 (9 overs) — Marsh *25(31), Head *25(23).

Australia have shifted gears at the Sydney Cricket Ground, crossing the 50-run mark with both openers in full control. Travis Head struck five boundaries to reach 23 off 21 balls, while Mitchell Marsh is steady on 24 off 26.

Earlier, Head became the fastest Australian to reach 3,000 ODI runs, achieving the milestone in just 76 innings.

Score update: Australia 54/0 (8 overs) — Marsh *24(26), Head *23(21).

Travis Head joins elite company, reaching 3,000 ODI runs in just 2,839 balls, making him the fourth fastest in the world to achieve the feat. He sits behind Glenn Maxwell (2,440 balls), Jos Buttler (2,533 balls), and Jason Roy (2,820 balls), while edging past Jonny Bairstow (2,842 balls).
Score update: Australia 44/0 (7 overs) — Head *22(20), Marsh *15(22).

Travis Head has completed 3,000 runs in ODI cricket, achieving the milestone in just 76 innings — the fastest by any Australian. He surpasses Steven Smith (79 innings) and ties past legends like Michael Bevan and George Bailey (80 innings), as well as staying ahead of David Warner (81 innings). A remarkable achievement that reflects his consistency and explosive starts at the top of the order.
Score update: Australia 44/0 (7 overs) — Head *22(20), Marsh *15(22).

Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head continued to dominate as Prasidh Krishna’s first over went for 13 runs. Marsh began with a six over deep square leg, while Head followed up with a pull shot for four off a short ball. Both batters rotated strike smartly, keeping the scoreboard moving and putting Prasidh under early pressure.
Score update: Australia 44/0 (7 overs) — Marsh *15(22), Head *22(20).

Mitchell Marsh wasted no time in attacking Prasidh Krishna, launching his very first delivery for a six over square leg. The Australian skipper picked up a short ball just above the waist and swivelled powerfully to send it into the stands. A commanding start against the new bowler.

Travis Head continued to look fluent, striking a crisp boundary through the off side off Harshit Rana. The pacer, touching 139.8 km/h, kept testing both edges with sharp movement but couldn’t find the breakthrough despite a confident LBW appeal.
Score update: Australia 31/0 (6 overs) — Head *17(17), Marsh *7(19).

Travis Head shifted gears, striking two boundaries off Mohammed Siraj’s over to inject momentum into Australia’s innings. Siraj maintained pace around 134–136 km/h, occasionally beating the outside edge, but Head capitalized on the width to score freely through the off-side.

Score update: Australia 26/0 (5 overs) — Head *13(14), Marsh *6(16).

Mitchell Marsh found rhythm with two boundaries in Harshit Rana’s over, driving one powerfully through covers to end the over. Rana generated movement both ways, but an overpitched delivery was dispatched confidently by the Australian skipper.
The previous ball had sharply jagged in for four byes past KL Rahul, adding to the total. Australia’s openers are settling in after a cautious start.
Score update: Australia 18/0 (4 overs) — Marsh 6*(16), Head 5*(8).

Mohammed Siraj continued his disciplined spell but conceded the first boundary of the innings as Travis Head flicked a slightly fuller delivery at 135 km/h through midwicket. Both batters—Head (5 off 8) and Marsh (2 off 10)—looked cautious but managed to rotate the strike. Siraj maintained good pace and bounce, frequently beating the bat and finding movement off the seam.
Score update: Australia 9/0 (3 overs) — Head 5*(8), Marsh 2*(10).

Harshit Rana shared the new ball with Siraj and kept things tight in his opening over. Australia got off the mark with a leg bye before Mitchell Marsh opened his account with a single off the final delivery. Rana consistently bowled in the 130–135 km/h range, finding movement both ways and maintaining control.
Score update: Australia 2/0 (2 overs) — Marsh 1*(1), Head 0*(5).

Mohammed Siraj opened India’s bowling spell with a disciplined maiden over against Mitchell Marsh, maintaining tight lines around off stump. Marsh played cautiously, defending solidly as Siraj generated movement off the surface at 130.7 km/h. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill were positioned at first and second slip, signaling an attacking approach from India early on.

India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill(c), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul(w), Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna

Australia (Playing XI): Mitchell Marsh(c), Travis Head, Matthew Short, Matt Renshaw, Alex Carey(w), Cooper Connolly, Mitchell Owen, Nathan Ellis, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

India all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy has been ruled out of the third ODI against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground after sustaining a left quadriceps injury during the second ODI in Adelaide.