Rohit and Kohli turned back the clock with a 168-run stand in third ODI against Australia.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli turned back the clock with a 168-run partnership in what could be their Australian swansongs as India thrashed the hosts by nine wickets in third ODI at SCG on Saturday (October 25).
Rohit’s magnificent 121* off 125 balls, studded with 13 fours and three sixes, showcased his power, while Kohli’s composed 74* off 81 balls demonstrated his excellent strike rotation and calculated risk-taking abilities in the chase of 237.
The veteran duo’s stunning display in Sydney helped India avoid a series whitewash against Australia.
After the game, the legendary Sunil Gavaskar stated that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have made a strong case for India's 2027 World Cup squad. He believes their experience will be a big asset for India in the quadrennial showpiece in South Africa.
“The moment they made themselves available for this trip, it was clear they want to be there for the 2027 World Cup,” Gavaskar said while speaking to India Today.
“And irrespective of what happens between now and then — whether they score runs or not — with the ability and experience they possess, if they’re available, they’ll be certainties in the squad.”
“With this kind of form, you can write their names straight into the World Cup squad for South Africa 2027,” he added.
The heroics in Sydney followed two matches of rustiness and lack of rhythm for both batters. Rohit had scored 8 runs in the series opener before working hard at the Adelaide Oval, moving from a slow start of 28 balls for six runs to a solid 73 off 97 balls. On the other hand, Kohli had bagged two successive ducks for the first time in his illustrious ODI career.
With his ton at SCG, Rohit Sharma became only the 10th man in history to smash 50 international centuries. It was his 33rd ODI hundred and he also has 12 Test tons and five T20I centuries to his name.
During the Sydney innings, Virat Kohli added another feather to his cap as he became the second-highest run-scorer in ODIs. The 36-year-old went past Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara’s 14,234 runs when he reached 54* in the 32nd over of the second innings.
Kohli now has 14,255 runs in 305 ODIs, achieved in just 293 innings, with a highest score of 183. His record includes 51 centuries (most by any batsman) and 75 half-centuries at an average of 57.71. Only Sachin Tendulkar remains ahead of him with a staggering 18,426 runs in 463 ODIs.