Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli lead India to victory, avoid ODI series whitewash against Australia

Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli lead India to victory (BCCI Photo)

In most probably their last appearance for India on Australian soil, stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli had a memorable swansong leading India to an emphatic nine-wicket victory against Australia in the third and final ODI at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday. Thanks to their unbeaten knocks, India chased down the 237-run target with in 38.3 overs to avoid a series whitewash and end the series at 1-2, in favour of the hosts.

Rohit smashed 3 sixes and 13 fours in his unbeaten 121-run knock that came off 125 balls, while Kohli caressed 7 fours in his unbeaten 74-run knock off 81 deliveries. Together they added an undefeated stand of 168 runs off 169 balls.

The duo took charge after the dismissal of India captain Shubman Gill for 24.

Major records that Rohit and Kohli shattered:

When Kohli reached 58, he became the second highest run-scorer in ODIs, behind Sachin Tendulkar, overtaking Kumar Sangakkara’s tally of 14,234 ODI runs.

Rohit reached his 33rd ODI hundred off 105 balls and he became the only batter with five or more hundreds in each of the three formats – 12 in Tests, 33 in ODIs and 5 in T20Is.

Rohit also became the first visiting batsman to hit six ODI 100s in Australia, going ahead of Virat Kohli (5) and Kumar Sangakkara (5).

Rohit also joined Sachin Tendulkar as the only Indian batsman to hit nine ODI hundreds against Australia.

Earlier, Matt Renshaw showed off his recently acquired white ball skills with a brilliant fifty, but India bowlers, led by Harshit Rana, struck at regular intervals to limit Australia to a disappointing 236.

The Indians put up a good show with the ball and on the field, especially in the middle overs when spinners restricted the run flow, and the Australians, who chose to bat after winning the toss, were unable to form consistent partnerships.

Pacer Rana produced strong pace and bounce off a new SCG turf during his four-wicket haul (4/39).

The hosts were kept afloat by a first-wicket partnership of 61 between captain Mitchell Marsh (41) and Travis Head, as well as a 54-run partnership between Renshaw (56) and Alex Carey, but they were unable to reach a higher total.

Marsh and Head hit some of their usual strong strokes around the wicket. The former had even pulled a pulled six on Prasidh Krishna. However, Head directed a pretty harmless delivery from Muhammad Siraj directly into Prasidh's hands at backward point.

The Indians put up an improved fielding effort and Kohli's grab at backward point to remove Matthew Short from Washington Sundar was perhaps one of the greatest reflex catches ever.

That attempt was improved by Shreyas Iyer, who removed Carey with a running catch. A Rana delivery was lofted by the wicketkeeper-batter, but the ball flew in the opposite direction by a leading edge. Shreyas ran off from point and ran a good distance to take a good overhead diving catch, though he was slightly hurt in the process. The official word on the injury is: "Shreyas Iyer sustained an injury to his left rib cage while fielding. He has been taken to the hospital for further evaluation and assessment of his injury."

Marsh's defense was pierced by a delivery that came in with the angle, disturbing the stumps, and Axar Patel used his magic in between to dismiss the West Australian.

However, almost ten years after making his Test debut, Renshaw batted confidently at one end, demonstrating that he has finally adjusted to the demands of the white ball format. His first boundary came off the 35th delivery, and he concentrated on taking singles and twos to escape the pressure the Indian bowlers put on him in the middle overs.

Despite only hitting one four, the left-hander managed to reach his fifty off 58 balls, but he was unable to prolong his stay and was dismissed LBW by Washington.

Australia were reduced to 201/7, as Mitchell Owen and Mitchell Starc did not stay long either. A few cameos later in the order added a little respectability to their total.