In what could be their final ODI appearance on Australian soil, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli delivered a masterclass that reminded everyone why they’re considered modern legends. Rohit’s unbeaten 121 off 125 balls and Kohli’s composed 74 not out powered India to a dominant nine-wicket victory at the Sydney Cricket Ground, salvaging pride after losing the series 2-1.
Rohit Sharma’s Match Summary: Sydney Showdown
| Match Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Venue | Sydney Cricket Ground |
| Date | October 25, 2025 |
| Toss | Australia elected to bat |
| Australia Score | 236 all out (46.4 overs) |
| India Score | 237/1 (38.3 overs) |
| Result | India won by 9 wickets |
| Series Result | Australia 2-1 |
| Player of Match | Rohit Sharma (121* off 125) |
| Best Bowler | Harshit Rana (4/39) |
arshit Rana’s Breakthrough Performance
Harshit Rana grabbed four wickets with impressive bowling figures of 4/39 to dismiss Australia for 236 in 46.4 overs, setting the foundation for India’s commanding victory. The young pacer generated good pace and bounce off the fresh SCG turf, claiming two wickets in the final three balls of the innings to trigger a collapse.
Matt Renshaw displayed his newly acquired white ball proficiency with a fine fifty, but Indian bowlers struck at regular intervals to keep Australia to an underwhelming total. Washington Sundar claimed two wickets while Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, and Axar Patel each contributed one, showcasing India’s collective bowling strength.
Rohit’s Milestone Century: 50 International Hundreds
Rohit Sharma silenced his critics in style by scoring his 50th international century, following up a half-century in the second match with a masterful hundred in the final game. Chasing a modest target of 237, Rohit steadied the innings after Shubman Gill’s early dismissal for 24.
Showing remarkable composure, Rohit reached his century off 105 balls, with Virat Kohli providing valuable support at the other end as the duo put together a crucial 100-run stand. This was their 19th century partnership in ODIs and their first since January 2020.
With this landmark innings, Rohit joined Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli as only the third Indian to score 50 international hundreds, becoming the 10th cricketer overall to achieve the milestone. His six ODI centuries in Australia represent the most by any visiting batsman, surpassing legends like Virat Kohli and Kumar Sangakkara.
Kohli Breaks Sangakkara’s Record
While Rohit grabbed headlines, Virat Kohli quietly achieved another milestone. Kohli’s 74 not out off 81 balls was equally impressive, anchored with elegance and precision, as he became the second-highest run-scorer in ODI history, surpassing Kumar Sangakkara.
After enduring back-to-back ducks in the first two ODIs, Kohli’s return to form was crucial for India’s morale. His partnership with Rohit showcased the chemistry and understanding built over 15 years of playing together at the highest level.
Historic Context and Emotional Farewell
India have never been swept in a bilateral ODI series against Australia, making this victory essential for preserving that proud record. The emotional weight of the match was palpable, with both Rohit and Kohli acknowledging this might be their last ODI appearance in Australia.
Soon after winning the match, speaking to former Australia wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist and former coach Ravi Shastri, Rohit said, “Always love coming here and playing here. Fond memories of 2008. Don’t know if we’ll be coming back to Australia. We enjoy our cricket, no matter what accolades we achieve.”
Fielding Milestones Add to the Story
The legends didn’t just shine with the bat. Rohit completed 100 catches in ODIs and became the sixth cricketer to complete the milestone for India in the outfield, while Virat Kohli took his tally to 164 catches with a couple of grabs during Australia’s innings.
What This Victory Means
Beyond statistics and records, this win represents redemption for India after disappointing losses in Perth and Adelaide. The commanding nine-wicket victory, achieved with over 11 overs to spare, sends a strong message ahead of the five-match T20I series starting October 29 in Canberra.
For Rohit and Kohli, the Sydney masterclass serves as a fitting testament to their enduring class and determination. Whether or not this marks their ODI farewell to Australia, they’ve ensured their legacy on Australian soil remains untarnished.
More Cricket Coverage on TechnoSports:
- India Tour of Australia 2025: Complete Schedule & Results
- Rohit Sharma: Career Stats and Records
- Virat Kohli’s Journey to Becoming Second-Highest ODI Run-Scorer
- T20I Series Preview: India vs Australia 2025
For live cricket scores and official updates, visit ESPNcricinfo
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What records did Rohit Sharma break in the 3rd ODI against Australia?
Rohit Sharma achieved multiple historic milestones in the Sydney ODI. He scored his 50th international century across all formats, becoming only the third Indian after Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli to reach this landmark and the 10th cricketer globally. This was his 33rd ODI century and his sixth in Australia, making him the visiting batsman with the most ODI hundreds on Australian soil, surpassing Virat Kohli and Kumar Sangakkara who have five each. Additionally, Rohit completed 100 catches in the outfield during the match, becoming the sixth Indian to achieve this fielding milestone in ODIs.
Q2: Did India win the ODI series against Australia?
No, India lost the three-match ODI series 2-1 to Australia. Despite their dominant nine-wicket victory in the third ODI at Sydney, where Rohit Sharma scored an unbeaten 121 and Virat Kohli remained 74 not out, Australia had already secured the series by winning the first two matches in Perth and Adelaide. However, this consolation win was crucial as India have never been swept in a bilateral ODI series against Australia, and the victory helped preserve that proud record while providing momentum heading into the upcoming five-match T20I series.
