Shubman Gill credited India’s emphatic nine-wicket win over Australia in the third ODI at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) to the brilliance of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, calling it a “near-perfect game.” The duo’s unbeaten 168-run stand powered India to victory and gave Gill his first win as India’s ODI captain — a memorable moment despite losing the series 1-2.
Chasing 237, Gill and Rohit gave India a confident start, combining caution with calculated aggression. Gill, eager to make amends after two disappointing outings, looked composed until Josh Hazlewood found his outside edge, with Alex Carey taking a sharp catch behind the stumps. Gill departed for 24 off 26, but the platform was set for India’s two most experienced batters to take charge.
Virat Kohli, who had endured a rare lean patch with two consecutive ducks in the series, got off the mark with a soft flick and a fist bump with Rohit — a small but symbolic moment that reignited India’s chase. What followed was vintage Kohli-Rohit dominance. The pair rotated the strike with ease, punctuating the innings with crisp boundaries and impeccable timing.
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Rohit Sharma reached his fifty in 63 balls before shifting gears, smashing Adam Zampa for boundaries en route to his 33rd ODI century. Kohli, meanwhile, was all elegance — using his wrists and placement to notch up his 75th ODI half-century. India sealed the win in style, with Kohli hitting the winning boundary to finish unbeaten on 74 (81), while Rohit remained unconquered on 121 (125). It was a fitting farewell act for two modern greats on Australian soil.
At the post-match presentation, Shubman Gill praised his senior partners and acknowledged the bowling unit’s efforts: “We had a near-perfect game. The chase was pleasing to see. Rohit and Kohli have done it for so many years, and it was a delight to watch. Our spinners controlled the game beautifully in the middle overs, and Harshit Rana’s pace made a big impact.”
Harshit’s four-wicket burst was instrumental in restricting Australia to 236 after they were cruising at 195 for three.
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Australian skipper Mitchell Marsh admitted his side fell short after a strong start. “We needed one more partnership. India were too good with the bat. Credit to Rohit and Virat — they’ve been doing this for over a decade,” Marsh said, conceding India’s mastery in the chase.
