The Sydney Cricket Ground witnessed an emotional farewell as Rohit Sharma celebrated his 33rd ODI century with fellow senior pro Virat Kohli in what could be their last appearance on Australian soil. India avoided a historic whitewash with a commanding performance.
India vs Australia 3rd ODI Match Summary at a Glance
| Match Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Venue | Sydney Cricket Ground |
| Date | October 25, 2025 |
| Toss | Australia elected to bat first |
| Australia Score | 236 all out (46.4 overs) |
| India Score | 171/1 (28 overs) – chasing |
| Top Scorer (AUS) | Matt Renshaw (maiden ODI fifty) |
| Best Bowler (IND) | Harshit Rana (4/39) |
| Series Result | Australia 2-1 |
Harshit Rana’s Career-Best Destroys Australian Hopes
Harshit Rana claimed a career-best 4 for 39, leaving Australia with an underwhelming total of 236 at the SCG as they aimed to complete their first ODI series whitewash over India. The young pacer’s brilliant spell turned the match decisively in India’s favor.
Australia’s top six all passed 20 but no one converted their start into a substantial score, highlighting India’s disciplined bowling attack. The collapse was dramatic—from 183 for 3 in the 34th over, they lost 4 for 18, leaving the lower order exposed.
Washington Sundar bowled with excellent control for his 2 for 44, conceding just one boundary in his 10 overs, while Axar Patel went for just 18 in six overs. The spin-pace combination worked brilliantly as Australia lost their last seven wickets for 53 runs and left 20 deliveries unused in their innings.
The Legends Rise When It Matters Most
After losing Shubman Gill early, India needed stability. Enter the two greats who’ve carried Indian cricket for over a decade. The atmosphere electrified when Rohit Sharma reached his 33rd ODI century, with the entire stadium erupting and on its feet.
Virat Kohli, who had endured back-to-back ducks earlier in the series, found his rhythm alongside Rohit. Their partnership showcased why they remain India’s most trusted batting duo even in their twilight years. The chase became a procession as both batters dominated Australian bowling with class and confidence.
Historic Context: Avoiding the Unthinkable
India have never been swept in a bilateral ODI series against Australia, making this victory crucial for maintaining that proud record. After defeats in Perth and Adelaide, the pressure was immense to salvage something from the tour.
The match held special significance beyond statistics. For many, this represented a final opportunity to watch Rohit and Kohli bat together in Australia—a country where they’ve created countless magical moments over the years.
Australia’s Missed Opportunity
Despite winning the toss and choosing to bat first, Australia couldn’t capitalize. Matt Renshaw made his maiden ODI half-century, but the team couldn’t build substantial partnerships. Mitchell Marsh’s decision to bat first backfired as Indian bowlers exploited the conditions perfectly.
The hosts made several changes, including recalling players from Australia A duties, but the shuffled lineup couldn’t deliver the knockout punch. Their inability to post a competitive total on a decent batting surface proved costly.
Player Updates and Team Changes
The match saw significant squad adjustments. Nitish Kumar Reddy was ruled out after sustaining a left quadriceps injury in Adelaide. India opted for a balanced attack with six bowling options, each contributing at least one wicket—a testament to their collective effort.
Australia’s planning for the upcoming T20I series meant they experimented with combinations, possibly resting key players with a quick turnaround ahead.
What This Victory Means
Beyond avoiding embarrassment, this win provides India crucial momentum heading into the five-match T20I series starting October 29. The batting form of Rohit and Kohli, combined with Harshit Rana’s emergence as a wicket-taking option, offers optimism for the format switch.
For cricket romantics, the sight of Rohit and Kohli celebrating together at the SCG provided the perfect ending to their Australian ODI journey—a reminder that class truly is permanent.
Read More on TechnoSports:
- India Tour of Australia 2025: Complete Schedule
- Harshit Rana: Rising Star of Indian Cricket
- Rohit Sharma Career Records and Milestones
For detailed ball-by-ball commentary and complete statistics, visit ESPNcricinfo
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What was the final score of India vs Australia 3rd ODI?
Australia scored 236 all out in 46.4 overs after electing to bat first. India successfully chased the target with Rohit Sharma scoring his 33rd ODI century and Virat Kohli providing solid support. This victory helped India avoid a series whitewash, with the final series score reading 2-1 in Australia’s favor.
Q2: How did Harshit Rana perform in the Sydney ODI?
Harshit Rana delivered a match-winning performance with career-best figures of 4 wickets for 39 runs in 8.4 overs. His breakthrough spell triggered Australia’s collapse from 183 for 3 to being bowled out for 236, with the last seven wickets falling for just 53 runs. His disciplined bowling earned him recognition as one of the key architects of India’s victory.
