Rohit–Kohli Masterclass Defeat Australia After Harshit’s Breakthrough Spell

The Indian team walked into the 3rd ODI in Sydney with bruises from Perth and Adelaide, already 2–0 down. But this time, Indian team does this, when the noise is loud, it finds quiet through purpose. On a bright afternoon at the SCG, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli chased 236 like it was a light net session. No drama. No fuss. No panic. Just high-class run-chasing from two of the game’s sharpest finishers.

India crushed Australia by 9 wickets. The series went to Australia 2–1, but the last ODI belonged to India. Australia started strong, but failed in the last one. 

Pat Cummins wanted runs from his top order. He got a start, but didn't end it properly. Australia moved to 183 for 3 in the 35th over and looked set for 280+. The platform stood firm. The strokeplay looked comfortable. India needed a spark. A 23-year-old fast bowler provided it.

Harshit Rana hit the game like a thrown hammer. No fear. No hesitation. He bowled heavy lengths, found seam, and attacked the stumps. Australia lost 7 wickets for 53 runs. Their innings folded for 236 in 47 overs.

Matt Renshaw fought for 56. Mitchell Marsh punched 41. But nobody survived the squeeze after Rana tightened the screws. Shardul Thakur chipped in with 2. Kuldeep Yadav controlled the middle overs. Washington Sundar cleaned up. But this was Rana’s day. It was a statement spell of 4 for 39 on Australian turf. He bowled like a man who wanted a World Cup ticket.

India’s chase began with rhythm. Rohit Sharma timed his first boundary through cover like a whisper. Shubman Gill flicked Cummins with ease. The chase moved to 69 without loss in 12 overs. Then Gill dragged Josh Hazlewood on for 24.

Rohit and Kohli have spent a decade building chases. They read the field and punished loose bowling. Their partnership here felt inevitable. 

Rohit lifted his tempo early. He pulled Sean Abbott for six. He reverse-swept Adam Zampa. He moved to fifty at run-a-ball pace. Kohli settled slower, then accelerated. After two ducks earlier in the series, he needed rhythm. He found it. And once he found it, he didn’t let go.

Australia tried everything, like back of length, cross-seam, fuller swings. Nothing worked. Rohit went past 100. It is his 33rd ODI century. He stayed unbeaten on 121 off 125. Kohli finished with 74 off 81.

Their unbeaten 168-run stand took India to 237/1 in 38.3 overs. The chase didn’t just win a match. It rebuilt belief.

Young players don’t always get big moments. Harshit Rana grabbed his memorable moments. India needed aggression in the middle overs. They needed someone to ask hard questions. Needed a bowler who didn’t smile politely at batters. Rana stepped in and roughed up an Australian lineup that expects to dominate. He celebrated with raw emotion. He brought edge. Teams feel that kind of energy.

Australia lifted the trophy, but didn't make it a clean sweep. His team dominated the first two games but lost the 3rd ODI today. India stopped a whitewash. They hit back hard. They walk away with answers.

Series to Australia (2–1). Statement to India.