On a bright evening at the Sydney Cricket Ground, India delivered a performance of clarity and control to wrap up the ODI leg with a commanding nine-wicket win, chasing 237 in just 38.3 overs. Australia had the series secured, yet this final match belonged unmistakably to the visiting batters-and to one ageless opener in particular. Rohit Sharma finished 121 not out from 125 balls, Virat Kohli closed on 74* off 81, and together they turned a tricky target into a serene stroll with 69 balls to spare. The scoreboard told a simple story: India 237 for 1; Australia 236 all out. The SCG crowd of 40,580 sensed the inevitability long before the winning boundary skimmed to the rope.
Australia’s innings promised more than it delivered. As captain Mitchell Marsh admitted later, they were “3-195” and poised to launch, but “couldn’t cash in.” The unraveling wasn’t a frenzy so much as a tightening: India’s spinners and change-ups smothered momentum, while the pace unit struck at key moments. The sequence of dismissals underlined the chokehold-Mohammed Siraj snared Travis Head at point, Axar Patel bowled Marsh through the gate, Shreyas Iyer’s sharp grab ended Alex Carey, Washington Sundar trapped Matt Renshaw lbw, Harshit Rana found the edge at slip, and Kuldeep Yadav rattled the stumps late. By the time the last wicket fell, Australia’s 236 felt undercooked for the surface and the occasion. Post-match, India’s stand-in captain Shubman Gill called it “a near-perfect game”-spinners containing through the middle, pacers taking the key wickets when the squeeze had done its work.
Then came the chase-measured, then majestic. Rohit signaled intent early with crisp boundaries off Mitchell Starc and a soaring, inside-out six later that drew a hum from the members’ stand. Gill partnered briskly for 69 before edging behind to Josh Hazlewood, Australia’s lone wicket-taker and their most economical bowler on the night (1 for 23 in six with a maiden). If that success hinted at a twist, it evaporated once Kohli joined Rohit. From 69 for 1, the pair constructed a 168-run stand that looked equal parts blueprint and masterclass: Rohit’s sweep and pick-up power down the leg side; Kohli’s balance, the lean into midwicket, and the late glide behind point. Their 150-run partnership arrived with a glide off the pads, emblematic of an evening rich in timing and intent.
The finishing stretch captured the mood perfectly. A miscued pull from Rohit spiraled into no-man’s land-Australia’s hesitation turned half-chance into none-before Rohit swept a six and then a four to milk the requirement into single digits. Fittingly, Kohli applied the final touch, a deft steer that slipped fine past deep third. The winning stroke looked almost casual; the significance, far from it. For Kohli, the unbeaten 74 also nudged him to second on the all-time ODI run-scorers list behind Sachin Tendulkar, a note that drew a warm roar from the SCG faithful. For Rohit, the century-his 33rd in ODIs-came with a milestone of its own: at 38 years and 178 days, he became the second-oldest Indian to score an ODI hundred, behind only Tendulkar. The ovation matched the moment.
Tactically, India’s batting plan was textbook: target pace early to dent rhythm, be ruthless on spin once the ball softened, and deny Australia any prolonged pressure spell. Hazlewood’s control asked questions-his hard length and subtle variation produced the sole breakthrough and a string of dots-but the support acts couldn’t hold the line. Nathan Ellis went 0 for 60 in 7.3, Adam Zampa 0 for 50 in 10, and Matthew Short’s four overs cost 29; the cumulative effect gave Rohit and Kohli freedom to play the field, not the scoreboard. India’s run rate-6.15 for the chase-underscored how comprehensively they managed tempo.
Fairness demands acknowledging Australia’s broader achievement. When the final boundary ran away, they were on the victors’ podium celebrating the series win, a point not lost amid India’s dominance on the night. Marsh gave due credit-“India too good with the bat”-while noting the platform his side had set before the slide. In truth, this decider felt like two stories: Australia’s missed acceleration, and India’s veteran duo turning the lights low on a chase with the assurance of a greatest-hits tour.
As the presentations wound down, there was reflection, even sentiment. Rohit spoke about passing knowledge on, about loving the cricket in Australia, and about the fond memories stretching back to 2008. Kohli called it “easy to bat with Rohit,” a line that felt both modest and accurate after nearly 29 overs together. For Gill, it was a “special win” on a special ground-his first as ODI captain. Next in the tour 5 T20’s, 1st one on 29 Oct, 2025.
