Sydney, Oct 25 (NationPress) Rohit Sharma spearheaded the team's effort with an impressive 121 -- marking his 33rd ODI century -- while Virat Kohli remained not out at 74, as the duo showcased their vintage talent in a remarkable fashion, securing a nine-wicket consolation victory for India against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday.

While Australia began strongly, India made a comeback thanks to disciplined bowling, with Harshit Rana delivering a key spell of 4-39 that allowed the visitors to bowl the home side out for 236. India's response was assertive right from the start, with Rohit and Shubman Gill forming a solid opening partnership of 68 before Hazlewood dismissed Gill.

This brought Rohit and Virat together, and the experienced pairing proved their mettle. Rohit’s batting was sharp, hitting 13 fours and three sixes in his 121 not out off 125 balls, while Kohli was steady at the crease, scoring an unbeaten 74 off 81 balls, including seven boundaries.

The two formed a remarkable 168-run partnership in a masterclass of chasing, helping India finish the series on a high note by reaching the target with 11.3 overs remaining, thus avoiding a clean sweep against Australia.

Rohit started the chase with a flurry of boundaries, driving, cutting, and lofting balls off Mitchell Starc. The SCG pitch showed less movement compared to the first innings, allowing Rohit to find his rhythm and timing.

Gill joined the run fest with a fine boundary off Nathan Ellis, while Rohit continued to pile up runs against Hazlewood. Gill ended the power-play with a slog-sweep off Cooper Connolly for six, leaving India at a strong 68/0.

However, Gill fell to a brilliant delivery from Hazlewood, edging it behind to Alex Carey. Kohli walked in to a warm reception, likely in his final appearance at the SCG, and got off the mark immediately, drawing cheers from the crowd.

Kohli then displayed his class, cutting Zampa for four and pulling Hazlewood for more runs. Rohit lofted Zampa for six and quickly brought up his 60th ODI fifty in just 63 balls. Following that, he swept Zampa for four and six, with Nathan Ellis also being punished.

Kohli escaped an lbw appeal on Ellis and reached his 75th ODI fifty, surpassing Kumar Sangakkara to become the second-highest run-scorer in ODI history, trailing only Sachin Tendulkar.

As the partnership surpassed 100 runs, Rohit displayed an array of drives and sweeps to complete his century in just 105 balls, thrilling a supportive crowd. He then hit a couple of excellent sweeps off Matt Short before Kohli ramped Ellis for boundaries, sealing India's victory and igniting celebrations.

Earlier, despite all six top Australian batsmen getting starts, Matthew Renshaw was the top scorer with 56 off 58 balls, highlighting their batting struggles. Rana, under pressure before the match, delivered a memorable performance, claiming four wickets.

Every Indian bowler contributed, as Australia lost their last six wickets for just 53 runs. Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar effectively contained runs and took wickets, stalling Australia’s progress after Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head had added 61 for the first wicket.

Head broke the shackles with a flick off Siraj early on, while Prasidh Krishna faced aggression from Marsh, who hit a six off his first ball. Head reached 3,000 ODI runs but was dismissed by Siraj in the 10th over, concluding Australia’s powerplay at 63/1. A missed run-out opportunity for Gill highlighted the pressure on the Australian batsmen.

Short’s nervy start included a failed review off Kuldeep, and Marsh fell to Axar for 41. Short was caught at square leg by Kohli off Sundar, while Carey survived a dropped catch but later fell to a brilliant catch by Shreyas Iyer, who unfortunately left the field injured.

Renshaw appeared smooth, reaching his fifty with minimal risk, but was trapped lbw by Sundar. Australia's collapse continued as Mitch Owen edged to slip off Rana, Kuldeep bowled Starc, and Ellis hit three boundaries before falling to Prasidh. Rana wrapped up the innings with two wickets in three balls - Connolly caught at long-off and Hazlewood bowled - paving the way for Rohit and Virat to guide India to a historic win.

Brief scores:

Australia 236 all out in 43.4 overs (Matthew Renshaw 56, Mitchell Marsh 41; Harshit Rana 4-39, Washington Sundar 2-44) lost to India 237/1 in 38.3 overs (Rohit Sharma 121 not out, Virat Kohli 74 not out; Josh Hazlewood 1-23) by nine wickets

–IANS