India avoided a series whitewash with a dominant nine-wicket victory over Australia in the third ODI at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday, October 25, 2025. Rohit Sharma made an unbeaten 121, and Virat Kohli finished 74 not out after Harshit Rana’s 4 for 39 bowled Australia out for 236. The victory came with 69 balls remaining as India reached 237/1 in just 38.3 overs.
The majority of the SCG crowd got what they wanted as Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, playing what will surely be their final matches in Australia, guided India to a consolation victory. The pair finished with an unbroken stand of 168 from 170 balls in front of a packed stadium of 40,587 fans.
Sources: ESPNcricinfo Match Report (https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/india-in-australia-2025-26-1478882/australia-vs-india-3rd-odi-1478906/match-report)
Match Scorecard
| Team | Score | Overs | Wickets | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 236 | 46.4 | 10 | Lost by 9 wickets |
| India | 237 | 38.3 | 1 | Won by 9 wickets |
Target: 237 runs | Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground | Date: October 25, 2025
Top Performers
| Player | Team | Role | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rohit Sharma | India | Batsman | 121* (125 balls, 13 fours, 3 sixes) |
| Virat Kohli | India | Batsman | 74* (81 balls, 11 fours, 1 six) |
| Harshit Rana | India | Bowler | 4/39 (8.4 overs) |
| Matt Renshaw | Australia | Batsman | 56 (58 balls, 7 fours, 2 sixes) |
Sources: ESPNcricinfo Live Score & Scorecard (https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/india-in-australia-2025-26-1478882/australia-vs-india-3rd-odi-1478906/live-cricket-score)
Key Moments
- Australia slipped dramatically from 183 for 3, losing 7 for 53 to be bowled out for 236
- Travis Head became the fastest Australia men’s batter to 3000 ODI runs by innings but was dismissed for 29 after spooning a catch to backward point
- Rohit shared a vital 69-run partnership with Shubman Gill (24) for the opening wicket
- Rohit went to his 33rd ODI century from 105 balls, a ninth against Australia
- This was the 12th 150-plus partnership between Kohli and Rohit in ODIs, equalling Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly for the most 150-plus partnerships in the format
- Shreyas Iyer pulled off a stunning catch to dismiss Alex Carey but injured himself in the process and walked off the field
Match Analysis
It was a dominant performance by India after Australia slipped dramatically in the middle overs . The Australian batting lineup struggled after a promising start, with only Matt Renshaw showing resilience with his fighting 56.
Harshit Rana took career-best figures of 4 for 39 , leading India’s bowling attack with precision and aggression. The young pacer’s performance was the turning point, as he dismantled Australia’s lower order.
Rohit, building on the fighting 73 he made in Adelaide, responded with an unbeaten 74 in front of a packed stadium, most of whom cheered their every move .The legendary duo demonstrated why they remain world-class performers.
When on 68*, Kohli went past Sachin Tendulkar for the most runs scored in white-ball international cricket, adding another milestone to his illustrious career.
What’s Next
Australia won the three-match ODI series 2-1. Both teams now turn their attention to the T20I series, with the first match scheduled in Canberra. While India showed they can compete with this consolation win, the hosts will be confident heading into the shorter format.
For Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, this victory provided a perfect farewell to Australian shores, with both veterans delivering masterful performances when it mattered most.