India ended the three-match One-Day International series on a high with a commanding nine-wicket victory over Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli guided the visitors to chase 237 with authority, closing the contest in 38.3 overs.
After losing the first two matches, India delivered a complete performance to secure a consolation win in the final game. Sharma anchored the innings with an unbeaten 121 off 125 balls, while Kohli provided solid support with 74 not out. Their unbroken 168-run partnership ensured India’s comfortable win with 69 balls to spare.
Australia, who won the toss and chose to bat, managed 236 in 46.4 overs. Matt Renshaw top-scored with 56, while captain Mitchell Marsh made 41. Washington Sundar and Harshit Rana shared six wickets between them, with Rana finishing with figures of four for 39.
India began the chase briskly as Sharma and Shubman Gill put on 69 for the first wicket before Gill fell for 24. From there, Sharma and Kohli took full control, rotating strike with ease and punishing loose deliveries. Sharma reached his century from 105 balls, striking 13 fours and three sixes, while Kohli’s 74 came from 81 balls with seven boundaries.
Earlier, Australia’s innings lost momentum after a steady start. Marsh and Head added 61 for the first wicket, but regular breakthroughs halted progress. Harshit Rana’s spell dismantled the lower order, and Patel, Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav each contributed key wickets.
For his commanding all-round performance — 121 not out and two catches — Rohit Sharma was named both Player of the Match and Player of the Series, finishing the three-match contest with 202 runs. Despite the defeat, Australia claimed the series 2–1.
