Sydney drinks in Rohit and Virat’s final vintage act as the two Indian greats brought out their greatest hits.
Sydney soaks up that Rohit-Kohli feeling.
Nothing about what had happened at the SCG had never been seen before. Rohit Sharma’s century, India’s outstanding ODI performance, the crowd’s overwhelming support for the visiting team, and Virat Kohli’s undefeated finish to a run chase.
However, it did feel different in certain respects. It’s unclear exactly where Rohit and Kohli’s international cricket careers will conclude, but this was their last trip to Australia. Particularly for Kohli, it has been a pivotal location in his legendary career in a variety of formats, including the incredible 133 against Sri Lanka in 2012, the tour de force in 2014–15, the century in Perth in 2018 and leading a series victory, and the MCG in 2022.
In their first games since the IPL, both players appeared to be underwhelmed by Australia’s new-ball prowess in Perth. Rohit fought his way to 73 in Adelaide as the ball slipped around once more, but a delivery that spinner Xavier Bartlett acknowledged was intended to be another outswinger nailed Kohli leg before wicket for another duck.
Sydney had nothing riding on the series after India lost both games, but the game had sold out ahead of time. The crowd had grown to almost 40,000 at the finish, and any latecomers were undoubtedly hurried as they saw the layout of India’s scoreboard during the run chase. For most, the last moments seemed a little like a party.
However, Australia’s innings began with a thunderous roar in the 23rd over well before Kohli batted. Those who might have been distracted by anything else, like obtaining coffee, might have been curious about what had transpired. Matt Short was removed by Kohli’s superb catch at square leg.
But what they truly desired were the runs. Alternatively, a run for Kohli to begin. But that will be covered in more detail soon.
Soon, India’s pursuit was on. Rohit bludgeoned a shot through the covers and flicked Mitchell Starc through the leg side. A Josh Hazlewood delivery leaped from a short distance, and he had to be quick to avoid getting his head in the way.
India reached fifty thanks to a contemptuous pull by Rohit off Hazlewood in the ninth over, but even their fans appeared to be torn between applauding the boundaries and yelling “Kohli, Kohli.” We’ll never know how they would have responded to winning by 10 wickets.
Between these two legends on the batting card, Shubman Gill, the new ODI skipper, nicked a beautiful delivery from Hazlewood in the eleventh over. Because of who was coming down the steps of the iconic SCG away dressing room, the applause increased as he started to walk.
A thunderous cheer welcomed Kohli’s first-ball single towards mid-on. With a smile and a slight lift of the glove, the guy himself deserves praise for doing his part. A top-edged pull against Hazlewood was followed by a late cut against Adam Zampa. Then the best of the best: a direct drive away from Starc.
There was an air of inevitableness to the chase shortly after Rohit and Kohli took their stands. The question was how many each would produce. Over the years, many opposing teams have experienced that emotion. After Rohit’s fifty, Kohli’s, and then another forty-two deliveries, Rohit reached his hundred. His game has always been noted for its acceleration.
It was Rohit’s maiden century in a winning cause, but it was his fifth against Australia in ODIs played on their soil. Even though he achieved one of his career’s first notable performances in 2008 with a 66 at the SCG in the first of the tri-series finals where India would win the event, that includes an undefeated 171 at the WACA in 2016 that ended in defeat. After seventeen years, he continues to do so.
Together, Rohit and Kohli had amassed the third-highest partnership runs total in ODI history as they left. “I’ve really enjoyed batting with Rohit, and, yeah, good to know we’ve scored a few together,” Kohli stated.
Not even the players themselves are certain if the two will qualify for the 2027 ODI World Cup. But there was a subject that could wait for another day for the millions of people watching them on TV and the fans roaring them on in the stadium on Saturday night.