In a dazzling display of experience and class, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli led India to a comprehensive nine-wicket victory over Australia in the third and final ODI at the Sydney Cricket Ground on October 25, 2025. The duo’s unbeaten partnership of 168 runs not only helped India avoid a series whitewash but also provided a fitting finale—possibly their last ODI appearance on Australian soil—leaving the Sydney crowd in raptures.
Australia, having already secured the series 2-0 with wins in Perth and Adelaide, came into the match looking to complete a clean sweep. Once again, luck with the coin toss deserted India, marking their 18th consecutive lost toss in ODIs, as Australian skipper Mitchell Marsh elected to bat first. The home side’s top six—Marsh, Travis Head, Matt Short, Matt Renshaw, Alex Carey, and Cooper Connolly—all got starts, but only Renshaw managed to convert his into a significant score, reaching 56. Marsh contributed 41, while Head and Short added 29 and 30 respectively. A promising 61-run stand between Marsh and Head, and a 59-run partnership between Renshaw and Carey, pushed Australia to 183/3 by the 34th over. However, a sudden collapse saw them lose four wickets for just 18 runs, and they were eventually bowled out for a modest 236 in 46.4 overs.
The Indian bowling attack, spearheaded by young pacer Harshit Rana’s career-best 4/39, kept the pressure on. Washington Sundar chipped in with two wickets for 44 runs, while Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav each claimed one apiece. Reflecting on Australia’s innings, SEN Cricket’s Bharat Sundaresan remarked, “Australia has blown this, really. They were in good positions for a major part of the first 30 overs.” Marsh himself admitted, “We needed one more stand in the back-end of our first innings. Had a great platform at 183-3, but couldn’t cash in.”
Chasing 237, India’s openers made a brisk start. Shubman Gill, captaining the side, crafted a lively 24 off 26 balls before edging Josh Hazlewood to Alex Carey. Gill’s departure with the score at 69 brought Kohli to the crease, joining Sharma for a partnership that would soon become the talk of the cricketing world. Kohli, who had suffered back-to-back ducks in the previous two matches, seemed determined to silence his critics. He started cautiously, but soon found his rhythm, driving Hazlewood for a single to wide mid-on and cutting Adam Zampa to the point boundary. He survived a close LBW call on 36, but went on to complete his half-century off 56 balls, ultimately finishing unbeaten on 74 from 81 deliveries, laced with seven fours.
Sharma, meanwhile, was at his imperious best. The 38-year-old opener showcased his signature blend of timing and aggression, smashing 13 fours and three sixes in his unbeaten 121 off 125 balls. His innings was punctuated by powerful sweeps and elegant lofted shots, particularly against Zampa, whom he twice dispatched over the ropes. Sharma brought up his 33rd ODI hundred—his 50th international century across formats—with a single off the leg-spinner, joining an elite club of cricketing greats. “Both of them played a wonderful innings and I would like to congratulate Rohit Sharma also for his brilliant century. It was an outstanding partnership, and both stalwarts showed yet again that they are great players and are legends of Indian cricket,” said Virat Kohli’s childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma, speaking to ANI.
This partnership marked the first century stand between Sharma and Kohli since January 2020. Their chemistry was evident as they rotated the strike, punished loose deliveries, and kept the required run rate well in check. Kohli’s knock also saw him surpass Kumar Sangakkara to become the second-highest run scorer in ODI history, now with 14,255 runs—behind only the legendary Sachin Tendulkar. “With just two innings, you cannot say that Virat Kohli is out of form. His performance today has made him the world’s second-highest run getter in ODIs. This shows his contribution to Indian cricket. He has scored 51 centuries. People love him a lot and want him to play as much as possible,” added Rajkumar Sharma.
India’s chase was so authoritative that the target was reached with more than 11 overs to spare—237 for one in 38.3 overs. The Sydney crowd, nearly 40,000 strong, gave both veterans a standing ovation, sensing the significance of the moment. “That’s what you expect in Australia, it’s not going to be easy. You got to understand the situation. Haven’t played for a long time, had a good prep coming here. We couldn’t win the series but we still take a lot of positives,” Rohit Sharma reflected post-match. “There’ll be a lot of learnings for the youngsters. When I came for the first time, how the seniors helped up. It’s our job to pass on the message. Never easy to travel abroad and play cricket. The guys are pretty talented, you need to have some game-plan. I still go back to the basics of playing and that’s something I need to pass on to these guys. I love playing in Australia. In Sydney, I have a good memory, great place and great crowd. I love doing what I do and I hope continuing to do that.”
For his exploits, Sharma was named both Player of the Match and Player of the Series, having finished as the highest run-getter with 202 runs at a stunning average of 101. Kohli’s return to form, meanwhile, was a welcome sign for Indian fans, especially with his record-breaking feat. While neither Sharma nor Kohli has officially confirmed their retirement from ODIs in Australia, their absence from the upcoming T20 series hints that this could indeed be their final act Down Under.
Despite the defeat, Australia claimed the three-match series 2-1, but India’s emphatic win in Sydney ensured they left with their heads held high. Both teams now look ahead to a five-match T20 series, starting October 29 at Manuka Oval in Canberra, where a new chapter awaits. For now, though, the spotlight remains firmly on two of India’s greatest ever, who once again proved why they are cherished by fans worldwide.
With the ODI series wrapped up and the legends of Indian cricket having delivered a masterclass, the anticipation now shifts to the T20s, as both sides regroup and new heroes prepare to emerge.
