Sydney, October 25, 2025 – India ended the ODI series on a high, defeating Australia by nine wickets in the third and final One-Day International (ODI) at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The victory helped India avoid a clean sweep, as Australia still claimed the three-match series 2-1.
Batting first, Australia posted a modest total of 236 runs before being bowled out inside 47 overs. Openers Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head gave a brisk start, but India’s spinners Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, and Axar Patel pulled things back in the middle overs. Matt Renshaw stood out with a composed half-century, while Alex Carey provided support with a 59-run partnership. Harshit Rana was the star with the ball, taking four wickets, while Sundar added two more in a miserly spell.
Chasing 237, India got off to a fluent start with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill adding 68 runs in the Powerplay. After Gill fell to Josh Hazlewood, Virat Kohli joined Rohit to produce a vintage partnership. The pair added 168 runs in an unbroken stand, guiding India to victory in 38.3 overs. Rohit smashed a brilliant century, while Kohli returned to form with a fluent half-century.
This win marked India’s first ODI victory at the SCG since 2016, and only their third ever in this format at the venue. It was also a sentimental moment for fans, as Rohit and Kohli, with over 25,000 ODI runs between them, might have played their final match on Australian soil.
Rohit Sharma was named both Player of the Match and Player of the Series for scoring 202 runs at an average of 101, including an unbeaten ton in the finale. He said, “Scoring in Australian conditions is never easy, but preparation and patience make the difference.”
Indian skipper Shubman Gill praised his team’s all-round effort, calling it a “near-perfect game.” He highlighted the spinners’ control and the pacers’ discipline, especially crediting Harshit Rana for his pace and energy.
Australian captain Mitchell Marsh congratulated India for their clinical performance and admitted his side fell short after being well-placed at 195 for 3. “We needed one more partnership, but India were just too strong with the bat today,” he said, adding that the team can still take positives from winning the series early.
With the ODI series wrapped up, both sides now shift focus to the five-match T20I series, starting October 29 at Manuka Oval, Canberra. Fans can expect another exciting chapter in this high-voltage rivalry.