Follow UsBe it fans, broadcasters or the players themselves, everyone wished for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to have a good run in the ODI series so that they could prolong their careers. After not being able to do that in the last two ODIs, albeit Rohit batting well for his 73 in the second game, the veteran batting pair united for India once again and helped the team chase down 237 in the 39th over.
For Australian skipper Mitch Marsh, who had already won the series 2-0 after the second game in Adelaide, it was like watching a movie he had been seeing for the last decade or more.
"We've seen Rohit and Virat do that over 10 years against lots of teams. We needed one more stand in the back-end of our first innings. Had a great platform at 3-195. Couldn't cash in. India too good with bat," Marsh said after India’s dominant win in the third ODI at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Chasing 237, India reached the target comfortably at 237/1 in 38.3 overs, with Rohit scoring an unbeaten 121 and Kohli scoring a fluent 74*. The win marked Gill’s first victory as India’s ODI captain. Speaking after the game, he praised India's near-perfect game and the bowling of Harshit Rana, along with the partnership between Rohit and Kohli.
"We had a near-perfect game. Pulled things back in the middle overs. Chase was pleasing to see. Our spinners, contained in the middle and pacers took key wickets. Harshit bowled fast in the middle overs. We need that quality. Rohit, Kohli have done it for so many years. Delight to watch. Special win on a special ground," Gill said after the match.
Australia had earlier posted 236 all out in 46.4 overs, with Mitchell Marsh top-scoring with 41. Despite a solid platform at 3-195, the hosts couldn’t capitalise in the back-end of their innings. India’s bowlers, including Harshit Rana, who picked a four-wicket haul, ensured the middle overs were tightly controlled, preventing any late surge.
Rohit was named Player of the Match for his masterful innings. With the series concluded, both teams now shift focus to the upcoming T20I series beginning October 29.