India Crush Australia by 9 Wickets in Dominant ODI Win
India’s Commanding Chase Led by Rohit Sharma’s Century
R
ohit Sharma once again showcased his class and leadership as India cruised to a comprehensive nine-wicket victory over Australia in the third ODI, sealing the series 2-1. Chasing a modest target of 237, India reached the total in just 38.3 overs, driven by a stunning unbeaten 121 from Rohit and a fluent 74* by Virat Kohli. The duo’s partnership underlined India’s dominance in home conditions, while also sending a strong message ahead of the upcoming international fixtures.
Sharma’s innings was a masterclass in controlled aggression, blending effortless timing with occasional bursts of power. His 125-ball 121 included 13 boundaries and three sixes, ensuring India never looked under pressure. Kohli, on the other hand, anchored the chase beautifully, providing the perfect balance between caution and confidence.
Shubman Gill added 24 before falling to Josh Hazlewood, but by then, India had already set the tone for a smooth run chase. The crowd at Wankhede erupted as Kohli and Rohit guided the team home, maintaining complete control over the game’s rhythm.
As India crossed the finish line with 69 balls remaining, it was not just a victory—it was a statement of depth, form, and confidence heading into a busy cricketing calendar.
With this win, India reaffirmed its position as one of the most balanced sides in world cricket, combining batting consistency with strategic bowling execution.
| Batter | R | B | 4s/6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| R. Sharma (c) | 121 | 125 | 13 / 3 | 96.80 |
| S. Gill | 24 | 26 | 2 / 1 | 92.31 |
| V. Kohli | 74 | 81 | 7 / 0 | 91.36 |
| Extras | 18 |
| Bowler | O | M | R | W | Econ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M. Starc | 5.0 | 0 | 31 | 0 | 6.20 |
| J. Hazlewood | 6.0 | 1 | 23 | 1 | 3.83 |
| N. Ellis | 7.3 | 0 | 60 | 0 | 8.00 |
| C. Connolly | 5.0 | 0 | 36 | 0 | 7.20 |
| A. Zampa | 10.0 | 0 | 50 | 0 | 5.00 |
| Batter | R | B | 4s/6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M. Marsh (c) | 41 | 50 | 5 / 1 | 82.00 |
| T. Head | 29 | 25 | 2 / 0 | 116.00 |
| M. Short | 30 | 41 | 4 / 1 | 73.17 |
| M. Renshaw | 56 | 58 | 2 / 0 | 96.55 |
| A. Carey (wk) | 24 | 37 | 1 / 0 | 64.86 |
| C. Connolly | 23 | 34 | 2 / 0 | 67.65 |
| M. Owen | 1 | 4 | 0 / 0 | 25.00 |
| M. Starc | 2 | 5 | 0 / 0 | 40.00 |
| N. Ellis | 16 | 19 | 3 / 0 | 84.21 |
| A. Zampa | 2 | 5 | 0 / 0 | 40.00 |
| J. Hazlewood | 0 | 1 | 0 / 0 | 0.00 |
| Bowler | O | M | R | W | Econ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M. Siraj | 5.0 | 1 | 24 | 1 | 4.80 |
| H. Rana | 8.4 | 0 | 39 | 4 | 4.50 |
| P. Krishna | 7.0 | 0 | 52 | 1 | 7.43 |
| K. Yadav | 10.0 | 0 | 50 | 1 | 5.00 |
| A. Patel | 6.0 | 0 | 18 | 1 | 3.00 |
| W. Sundar | 10.0 | 0 | 44 | 2 | 4.40 |
Australia’s Struggles with the Bat
A
ustralia’s innings never quite found momentum, stumbling to 236 all out in 46.4 overs. Despite promising starts from key players, frequent wickets prevented them from building a commanding total. Stand-in captain Mitchell Marsh top-scored with 41, while Matt Renshaw provided stability with a well-compiled 56.
Travis Head began aggressively but was dismissed for 29, while middle-order contributions from Matt Short (30) and Alex Carey (24) failed to push the scoreboard significantly. The Indian bowlers were relentless in their lengths, consistently challenging Australia’s shot selection and footwork.
Harshit Rana, making an impressive mark in this series, struck crucial blows at regular intervals, picking up three wickets. Kuldeep Yadav and Prasidh Krishna backed him up with sharp spells, both claiming two wickets each. Washington Sundar’s economy and variations further strangled the Australian scoring rate.
By the 40th over, Australia’s innings began to unravel as lower-order batsmen struggled against India’s disciplined attack. The visitors could add only 40 runs in the final 10 overs, highlighting their inability to accelerate under pressure.
The lack of partnerships cost Australia dearly, as India’s bowlers maintained complete control from start to finish.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s Partnership Shines Again
T
he Rohit-Kohli partnership, often described as the backbone of India’s batting, once again proved why it’s considered among the finest in modern cricket. The duo stitched together an unbeaten 168-run stand that left the Australian bowlers without answers.
Kohli’s composure perfectly complemented Rohit’s controlled aggression. Together, they displayed clinical shot selection—turning good deliveries into singles and punishing anything loose. Their understanding between the wickets was flawless, marked by quick singles and smart strike rotation.
Throughout the innings, the pair neutralized every bowling change attempted by the Australian captain. When Hazlewood and Starc attempted to tighten lines, Rohit’s placement and timing dismantled their plans. Kohli, meanwhile, milked the spinners with surgical precision.
It was not merely a chase—it was a masterclass in partnership building. Every run felt inevitable, every boundary precise, and every milestone earned through discipline. When the winning shot came off Kohli’s bat, the stadium erupted in celebration, symbolizing India’s supremacy at home.
The camaraderie between the two stalwarts has become a hallmark of Indian cricket, and their form bodes well for future challenges, including the upcoming ICC events.
Indian Bowling Unit: Discipline Meets Impact
I
ndia’s bowlers set up the victory with a brilliant display of discipline and aggression. Mohammed Siraj’s early breakthroughs gave India the momentum, while Harshit Rana’s mid-overs spell broke the Australian backbone.
Rana’s variations, combined with his ability to hit hard lengths, forced Australian batsmen into mistakes. Kuldeep Yadav spun his web masterfully, conceding just 50 runs in 10 overs and claiming crucial wickets that stalled Australia’s progress.
Axar Patel and Washington Sundar were particularly effective in restricting run flow, maintaining tight lines through the middle overs. Their economical spells ensured Australia never found the breathing room to accelerate.
The collective effort was evident as each bowler contributed to the team’s cause. India’s fielding, too, was sharp—with precise throws and athletic saves turning half-chances into pressure points for Australia.
This kind of all-round bowling performance has been the cornerstone of India’s ODI success in recent months, and the depth in their attack continues to impress fans and experts alike.
Series Wrap-up: India’s Rising Momentum
I
ndia’s 2-1 series triumph over Australia marks yet another milestone in their dominant home run. The series offered crucial insights into team composition, emerging players, and adaptability across formats.
The inclusion of youngsters like Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna added fresh energy to the bowling unit. Meanwhile, the senior core—Rohit, Kohli, and Kuldeep—proved that experience still anchors the side in pressure situations.
For Australia, inconsistency and lack of middle-order stability remain concerns. While individual brilliance surfaced occasionally, the inability to capitalize on starts proved costly. The team will look to regroup ahead of their next assignment with a focus on strengthening their batting lineup.
India’s ability to dominate in all departments reflects a growing maturity and strategic clarity under Rohit’s captaincy. The balance between seasoned campaigners and emerging talent positions them as formidable contenders for upcoming tournaments.
As the players now turn their attention to the T20 leg, India’s form and confidence appear unshakable, setting the stage for another exciting phase in their cricketing journey.
Post a Comment