AUS vs IND 3rd ODI: In a thrilling end to India’s ODI series against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli not only led India to a nine-wicket victory but also shattered a series of records in the process. Their dominant performance helped India avoid a whitewash after a tough series, with Australia having won the first two matches in Perth and Adelaide.
Chasing a target of 237, India’s hopes rested on the shoulders of their two stalwarts after the early loss of captain Shubman Gill. And what a partnership it was. Rohit and Kohli, both in sublime form, put on an unbroken stand of 168 runs, with Kohli playing the finishing role with an uncharacteristic upper-cut for four, sealing the win in just 38.3 overs.
This partnership wasn’t just about the victory, it was a reminder of the two players’ immense class and chemistry. Their combined effort helped India reach the target comfortably, showcasing their ability to respond under pressure.
Rohit Sharma finished on 121* and Virat Kohli was 74* as the duo turned back the clock in style.
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Rohit Sharma’s Remarkable Return to Form
Before the series began, there were doubts about Rohit Sharma’s form and fitness, especially after a quiet start to the year. However, the 38-year-old silenced all critics with an impressive 212 runs in three innings, making him the highest run-scorer across both teams. His composed and powerful knock in this match was a vintage reminder of why he’s regarded as one of the best openers in modern-day cricket.
Rohit Sharma brings up a fine century on the SCG! What a moment for him. #AUSvIND | #PlayoftheDay | @BKTtires pic.twitter.com/p01PjA35dp
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) October 25, 2025
Kohli & Rohit’s Record-Breaking Feats
The partnership between Kohli and Rohit wasn’t just a match-winning one – it was historic. Their partnership of 168 runs is the 12th time they’ve shared a stand of over 150 runs in ODIs, tying with the legendary duo of Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly. This puts them in elite company, with only the Sri Lankan pairing of Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara behind them.
Not just in partnerships, both batsmen continued to climb the ladder of ODI records. Kohli, with his classy knock, now sits atop the list of most runs in both ODIs and T20Is combined (18,437), just ahead of Sachin Tendulkar. The chase also saw Virat Kohli cross another milestone, becoming the batter with the most ODI hundreds by a visiting player in Australia, with six centuries.
Meanwhile, Rohit also etched his name into the record books, becoming the joint-record holder for the most ODI centuries against Australia, alongside Virat Kohli (both with nine tons).
Rohit Sharma joining legendary company 😱
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) October 25, 2025
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India’s Consolation Win, but the Series Goes to Australia
While the win will surely lift the spirits of the Indian camp, the series ultimately went to Australia, who had already secured the series with wins in the first two games. However, this victory at the SCG gave India something to smile about and a much-needed morale boost ahead of their upcoming challenges.
Australia had been in control for most of the series, but India’s ability to fight back when under pressure was on full display here, thanks to the exceptional leadership from Rohit and the consistency of Kohli. The duo’s performance was not just about individual records – it was about showing that India, when it comes to these two greats, can never be counted out.
