Veteran opener Rohit Sharma and superstar Virat Kohli have steered India towards a thumping nine-wicket victory in Saturday’s ODI series finale against Australia in Sydney.
The experienced duo combined for an unbeaten 168-run partnership to help India chase the modest 237-run target with 69 balls to spare in front of a sellout crowd at the SCG. Sharma, playing what could be his final match on Australian soil, clobbered 121 from 125 balls not out, his 33rd century in ODIs, while Kohli struck an unbeaten 74 (81).
Australia, having won the first two matches in Perth and Adelaide, still haven’t whitewashed India in a bilateral men’s ODI series.
Attention turns swiftly towards the five-match T20 series between the two nations, which gets underway at Canberra’s Manuka Oval on Wednesday.
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Aus take series win in low-scoring ODI | 04:05
MITCHELL MARSH — 8
98 runs at 49.00, HS 46*, SR 77.77
Marsh was named player of the match for his gritty knock during the series opener in Perth, guiding Australia safely towards the modest target.
Despite at times struggling for rhythm in Adelaide and Sydney, the Australian skipper remains in scintillating form in white-ball cricket.
Marsh stars as Australia win first ODI | 03:27
TRAVIS HEAD — 4
65 runs at 21.66, HS 29, SR 92.85
It was a quiet series for Head, who made starts in Adelaide and Sydney without converting either of them into half-centuries.
All three of his dismissals against India came from poor execution of attacking shots, toppled by harmless deliveries on each occasion.
MATTHEW SHORT — 7
112 runs at 37.33, HS 74, SR 82.35
Zero wickets, ER 8.62
Despite a couple of forgettable performances with the bat in Perth and Sydney, Short top-scored during the tense victory at Adelaide Oval in a career-best performance with the willow, anchoring Australia’s innings.
The Victorian finished as Australia’s leading run-scorer of the series, while India’s batters feasted on his tweakers throughout the series.
Kohli takes sharp grab in farewell match | 00:43
MATTHEW RENSHAW — 8
107 runs at 53.50, HS 56, SR 95.53
Renshaw has made a promising start to his ODI, with the Queenslander in line to fill the void left by Steve Smth in the middle order moving forward.
The left-hander made starts in Perth and Adelaide before notching his maiden ODI fifty in the series finale, top-scoring for the hosts during the loss at the SCG.
‘It’s ok to fail’ – Renshaw at peace | 10:02
ALEX CAREY — 3
33 runs at 16.50, HS 24, SR 61.11
one catch, one stumping
It was a forgettable series for Carey, who missed the series opener for Sheffield Shield commitments before cheap dismissals in Adelaide and Sydney.
The South Australian’s wicketkeeping was tidy as always, but he’ll be fighting to keep his spot in the ODI starting XI when fellow gloveman Josh Inglis returns from injury.
JOSH PHILIPPE — 7
37 runs at 37.00, HS 37, SR 127.58
Three catches
Playing his first ODI in more than four years, Philippe made an impressive return to the national 50-over side during the series opener in Perth.
The third-choice wicketkeeper made valuable runs during the run chase, also holding onto a couple of touch chances down the leg side with the gloves.
COOPER CONNOLLY — 9
84 runs at 84.00, SR 96.55
Zero wickets, ER 5.87
Connolly was the hero for Australia in Adelaide on Thursday, hitting his maiden ODI fifty during the run chase to steer the hosts towards a tense victory.
The young West Australian, who was economical with the ball, was forced to farm strike with the tail during the series finale in Sydney, dismissed while chasing quick runs at the death.
Every Boundary! Connolly BLITZ lifts Aus | 01:48
MITCHELL OWEN — 7
37 runs at 18.50, HS 36, SR 137.03
Two wickets at 21.00, BB 2-20, ER 7.00
Owen’s 23-ball cameo during the Adelaide ODI was crucial during the run chase, with the Tasmanian all-rounder also snaring a couple of handy wickets during the series opener in Perth.
However, he was dismissed cheaply during the third ODI at the SCG, exposing Australia’s tail when the team needed stability.
MITCHELL STARC — 5
Three wickets at 38.33, BB 2-62, ER 5.47
Starc produced an impressive opening spell during the first ODI in Perth, snaring the prized scalp of Virat Kohli for a duck.
However, the left-armer showed signs of frustration as the series progressed, losing his rhythm during Saturday’s loss in Sydney.
‘You can only sit back and admire that’ | 01:27
XAVIER BARTLETT — 8
Three wickets at 13.00, BB 3-39, ER 3.90
Bartlett’s impeccable start to his ODI career continues.
The Queensland seamer set up Australia’s victory at Adelaide Oval, his lone appearance of the series, by removing rival captain Shubman Gill and superstar Virat Kohli in the same over during the Powerplay.
He currently averages 11.13 with the ball in ODIs.
The captain takes it for the 1st wicket | 00:41
NATHAN ELLIS — 2
One wicket at 89.00, BB 1-29, ER 7.12
Ellis was far from his best against India this week, with his lone dismissal coming from a wayward delivery that was strangled down leg.
The Tasmanian quick’s radar was completely off during the series finale in Sydney, often straying down the leg side.
JOSH HAZLEWOOD — 9
Three wickets at 24.00, BB 2-20, ER 3.13
Australia’s best player of the series, Hazlewood is seemingly at the peak of his powers ahead of the Ashes.
The Bendemeer Bullet produced a near-perfect wicketless spell at Adelaide Oval, maintaining an economy rate of just above three across the series.
He remains one of the best multi-format players in the world.
Hazlewood shines despite no wickets | 01:33
ADAM ZAMPA — 8
Four wickets at 27.50, BB 4-60, ER 5.50
After missing the series opener in Perth due to paternity leave, Zampa was named player of the match for his four-wicket haul at Adelaide Oval.
However, the experienced leg-spinner was no match for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in Sydney on Saturday.
MATTHEW KUHNEMANN — 7
Two wickets at 13.00, BB 2-26, ER 6.50
Kuhnemann replaced strike spinner Adam Zampa during the series opener in Perth, his first ODI on Australian soil.
The tweaker was tasked with bowling at the death, a role he hasn’t fulfilled very often, snaring a couple of wickets to help restrict India’s assault during the dying overs.
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