India vs Australia 3rd ODI: Rohit Sharma’s century and Virat Kohli’s return to form to seal the win?

Australia, having already clinched the series 2–0, batted first in the final ODI at the SCG and were bundled out for 236 runs. The visitors produced a strong bowling performance, led by Harshit Rana, who finished with impressive figures of 4 for 39.

Openers Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head gave Australia a brisk start with a half-century partnership before Mohammed Siraj dismissed Head for 29. Axar Patel removed Marsh for 41, and Washington Sundar, with support from Virat Kohli’s sharp catching, sent back Matthew Short for 30.

Matt Renshaw steadied the innings with his maiden ODI fifty, sharing a solid stand with Alex Carey, but India’s bowlers clawed back quickly. Carey was caught brilliantly by Shreyas Iyer off Harshit Rana, who went on to remove key middle-order batters Mitchell Owen and Cooper Connolly, as well as tailender Josh Hazlewood. Kuldeep Yadav and Prasidh Krishna also contributed with a wicket each as Australia folded in the 47th over.

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In reply, India got off to a confident start with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill adding a fluent half-century stand. Gill departed for 26, but Rohit continued in fine form, bringing up his second consecutive fifty of the series and later converting it into a classy century — his 33rd in ODIs and ninth against Australia.

Virat Kohli, who crossed Kumar Sangakkara to become the second-highest run-scorer in ODI history, also looked fluent as he notched up a century of his own. The pair’s 100-run partnership kept India firmly on course for victory, ensuring a strong finish to an otherwise challenging series.

As of the 33rd over, India stood at 200/1, with Rohit Sharma celebrating his ton and sharing a warm hug with Kohli in a heartwarming moment. Their partnership showcased class and control, with Kohli rotating strike and Rohit playing the aggressor, finding gaps at will.

Australia’s bowlers, led by Adam Zampa and Cooper Connolly, toiled without success on a flat Sydney pitch. The Indian innings reflected composure and aggression, a perfect balance as they aimed to end the series on a high note.

Earlier, Harshit Rana’s incisive spells through the middle overs turned the game India’s way. His ability to extract bounce and seam movement disrupted Australia’s lower order. Alongside disciplined bowling from Sundar and Axar, India restricted Australia to a below-par total despite the early resistance from their top order.

With two of India’s senior-most batters — Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli — in full command, the visitors are poised to secure a consolation win and end the series with pride intact.