SIDNEY – Under bright skies and the noise of 38,000 fans at the Sydney Cricket Ground, India signed off with a nine-wicket win with the help of Virat Kohli that felt like the end of an era.
Chasing 237, the visitors crossed the line with 11.3 overs left, a commanding finish on a warm Saturday evening. It may be the last time Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma play white-ball cricket in Australia, and the mood mixed celebration with a hint of goodbye.
Rohit Sharma, the seasoned opener once known as the Hitman, produced a polished unbeaten 121 from 125 balls. He struck 12 fours and three sixes, a reminder of his early glory days. Kohli supported with 74 not out from 82 balls, a smooth hand with seven boundaries.
Together, they added an unbroken 164 for the second wicket, a throwback to the Ro-Ko axis that lit up the 2019 World Cup and, perhaps, one final encore on Australian soil.
Australia had already sealed the series 2-0 after a washout-affected result in Perth and a tight victory in Adelaide. Skipper Mitchell Marsh chose to bat first, another toss going against India, their 18th in a row lost in ODIs. It proved costly.
India’s attack bit early and often, led by 23-year-old Harshit Rana, who took a superb 4 for 39 with sharp seam and control that evoked Jasprit Bumrah at his best. Travis Head’s miscue to backward point for 42 headlined a collapse that Rana drove through the middle overs.
Rana’s razor-sharp riposte: bowlers swing the contest
The SCG usually treats batters well, yet it offered enough help for India’s seamers. Rana struck twice quickly, first bowling Matt Short with late movement, then drawing a loose drive from Jake Fraser-McGurk. “It’s surreal to bowl like this at the SCG,” Rana said with a grin that masked mature skill. “Harshit was unplayable,” Kohli told the huddle, a nod to fresh talent coming through.
At 45 for 3 inside 12 overs, Australia were reeling. Matt Renshaw (38) and Alex Carey (29) steadied with a 62-run stand, but momentum stalled after a stunning moment in the field. Shreyas Iyer launched into a full-length dive at backward point to claw a catch over his shoulder and remove Carey, then hit the turf hard and left for scans. The applause rang around the ground, and the tone shifted at drinks.
Adam Zampa fought back with 2 for 45, including a beauty to bowl Glenn Maxwell for 22. Still, Australia’s 236 all out in 49.3 overs felt light. Josh Hazlewood was frugal with 1 for 32 from ten overs, yet the rest of the attack missed Mitchell Starc, who was rested after heavy workloads. Debutant Ellis Perry, in for Xavier Bartlett, went wicketless for 58 in eight overs, targeted by India’s top order.
For India, this result avoided a rare away whitewash in Australia, something last seen in 1986. It also softened the blows from the first two matches. Perth brought a rain-hit slump to 136 for 9 with Kohli out first ball. Adelaide saw a hard-fought 264 for 9, only for Cooper Connolly’s unbeaten 61 to clinch a two-wicket finish. “We’ve wrapped the series, but today was about respect,” Marsh admitted. “Ro and Virat deserved that guard of honour.”
Ro-Ko symphony: a farewell in full flight
The chase was pure class. With Shubman Gill nursing a tight hamstring on the balcony, Rohit stepped up at the top and set the tone. A flicked six off Hazlewood’s third ball announced his intent, followed by a cover drive that drew gasps from slip. By the 20th over, India were 120 for 1 and in total control.
Kohli arrived at 62 for 1 after Yashasvi Jaiswal edged behind for 22. He kept it simple, then unfurled strokes when it mattered. A straight drive off Zampa’s googly was the pick, threading the offside with precision. Their running between the wickets was sharp, singles turned to twos, and Australia were squeezed out of options. “Always love coming here,” Rohit said later, emotion clear in his voice. “Fond memories of 2008. Don’t know if we’ll be coming back.” Kohli added, “This ground has been kind. Today, we played for the love of it.”
Kohli clipped the winning boundary in the 39th over to a standing ovation. Rohit removed his helmet and saluted, unbeaten and unhurried. The Player of the Match went to the captain, yet the true headline was the partnership, a reminder of what made them great together.
Echoes of legacy: what comes next for Virat Kohli
This tour feels like a turning point for India. Rohit and Kohli, both 38, have hinted at stepping away after the T20I leg that starts Wednesday in Brisbane. The torch is ready for Shubman Gill and a younger core. Harshit Rana’s breakout, backed by Tilak Varma’s brisk 28 not out off 15 in the chase, offers promise. Australia, though, showed depth of their own, from Connolly’s cool finish in Adelaide to Zampa’s control. The five-match T20 series will test both squads.
In the stands, the goodwill was striking. Australian fans chanted “Koh-lee! Koh-lee!” during his stay, sharing the moment with Indian supporters in a sea of blue and gold. Commentator Ahmed Basravi summed it up on social media, “Indian fans and Aussies alike will miss Virat and Rohit as their suns set Down Under.”
As handshakes came under the SCG lights, one thing was clear. The best rivalries are remembered for the stories they leave behind. For Kohli and Rohit, this win, loud and proud against the fading light, adds to their legend. India head home 1-2, proud of their finish. Australia’s summer rolls on, yet the echo of Ro-Ko will linger for a long time.
