In the third and final ODI of the series at Sydney, Australia batted first and were bowled out for 236 runs. In reply, India comfortably chased down the target with 69 balls to spare, thanks to superb batting performances from Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. The pair’s 168-run partnership not only sealed the win but also helped India avoid a whitewash.
India secured a dominant 9-wicket victory in the third ODI, with young pacer Harshit Rana starring with the ball. His exceptional bowling performance was the key reason why the strong Australian batting lineup collapsed for just 236 runs in 46.4 overs. Harshit took 4 wickets for 39 runs in 8.4 overs.
While chasing, openers Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma gave India a solid start, adding 69 runs in 10.2 overs. Gill, the new Indian captain, scored 24 runs off 26 balls before getting out. After his dismissal, former captains Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli took charge, guiding India home with an unbroken 168-run partnership off 170 balls.
Rohit Sharma remained the star of the show, smashing his 33rd ODI century, scoring 121 runs off 125 balls with 13 fours and 3 sixes. Kohli stayed unbeaten on 74 runs off 81 balls, including 7 boundaries.
For Australia, Nathan Ellis conceded 60 runs in 7.3 overs without taking a wicket, while Josh Hazlewood was the only successful bowler, giving away 23 runs for 1 wicket.
Earlier, after winning the toss and opting to bat, Matt Renshaw top-scored for Australia with 56 runs off 58 balls (2 fours). Captain Mitchell Marsh contributed 41 runs off 50 balls (5 fours and 1 six). Matthew Short (30), Travis Head (29), Alex Carey (24), Cooper Connolly (23), and Nathan Ellis (16) also chipped in, but none of the others reached double figures.
Apart from Harshit Rana’s 4-wicket haul, Washington Sundar picked up 2 wickets for 44 runs, while Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, and Axar Patel each took one wicket.
