Team India finally had something to cheer about on their tour of Australia as they clinched a 9-wicket win in the 3rd ODI at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on October 25, 2025. Chasing 237 for victory, India dominated from start to finish, with Rohit Sharma’s elegant century and Virat Kohli’s unbeaten knock guiding them home comfortably in 38.3 overs.
Though Australia sealed the series 2-1, this commanding win gave India a much-needed confidence boost before the upcoming ICC events.
Match Summary
| Match | Australia vs India, 3rd ODI 2025 |
|---|---|
| Venue | Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney |
| Date | October 25, 2025 |
| Toss | Australia won, opted to bat |
| Result | India won by 9 wickets |
| Series | Australia won 2-1 |
Australia’s Innings: Marsh & Renshaw Lead, India Bowlers Strike Back
Australia, after choosing to bat first, started strongly through Mitchell Marsh (41) and Travis Head (29). However, India’s bowlers struck back in the middle overs.
- Matt Renshaw top-scored with 53 runs off 52 balls, showing fine control.
- Harshit Rana (1/27) and Washington Sundar (1/42) broke key partnerships, while the spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel kept things tight.
Australia eventually folded for 236 in 46.4 overs, unable to convert starts into big scores.
| Top Performers – Australia Innings | Runs/Wickets |
|---|---|
| Matt Renshaw | 53 (52) |
| Mitchell Marsh | 41 (50) |
| Alex Carey | 24 (37) |
| Washington Sundar | 9-0-42-1 |
| Harshit Rana | 5-0-27-1 |
India’s Innings: Rohit Sharma’s Century & Kohli’s Classy Finish
Chasing 237, India got off to a steady start with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill adding 69 runs for the opening wicket.
After Gill’s dismissal for 24 (26), Virat Kohli joined Rohit and the two veterans rolled back the years with a 168-run unbeaten stand.
Rohit reached his 33rd ODI century — and 9th against Australia — scoring 121 runs from 125 balls with 13 fours and 3 sixes. Kohli remained not out on 74 off 81 balls, continuing his brilliant form in ODIs.
Their partnership showcased control, experience, and dominance — ensuring India chased down the target in 38.3 overs without trouble.
| Top Performers – India Innings | Runs/Wickets |
|---|---|
| Rohit Sharma | 121 (125) |
| Virat Kohli | 74* (81) |
| Shubman Gill | 24 (26) |
| Josh Hazlewood | 1/23 (6) |
| Adam Zampa | 0/50 (10) |
Rohit & Kohli Create History
The Rohit–Kohli duo achieved another milestone, equaling Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly’s record for the most 150+ run partnerships (12) in ODI history.
This partnership also marked:
- Rohit Sharma’s 50th international century,
- Virat Kohli surpassing Kumar Sangakkara to become second-highest run-getter in ODI history (14,235+ runs).
Scorecard Summary
| Team | Score | Overs |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | 236 all out | 46.4 |
| India | 237/1 | 38.3 |
| Result | India won by 9 wickets |
Post-Match View: Dominance of Experience
Despite the series loss (2-1), India’s victory in the final ODI reflected the importance of experience in big matches.
- Rohit Sharma’s timing and placement were flawless.
- Virat Kohli’s finishing calmness reminded fans why he remains the heartbeat of India’s middle order.
The win also comes as a major boost for India’s ODI confidence ahead of the 2025–26 home season and the ICC World Cup 2027 cycle.
Key Takeaways
| Aspect | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Top Performer (India) | Rohit Sharma – 121 (125) |
| Top Performer (Australia) | Matt Renshaw – 53 (52) |
| Big Partnership | Rohit–Kohli: 168 (169) |
| Series Result | Australia won 2–1 |
| Man of the Match | Rohit Sharma (India) |
Conclusion
India’s emphatic 9-wicket victory at Sydney was the perfect finish to the ODI series. While the series went Australia’s way, the final game proved that India’s senior core — Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli — remain in top form and can still dominate on any surface.
As India transitions under new ODI captain Shubman Gill, the leadership of experienced players like Rohit and Kohli will continue to be crucial in shaping the team for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
