India national cricket team’s modern batsmen Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were part of an oops moment during the third ODI of the series against Australia national cricket team.
The third and last ODI match of the series between India, captained by Shubman Gill, and Australia, captained by Mitchell Marsh, was played at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday, 25 October.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma show batting masterclass in Sydney
There was a lot of discussion about the ODI series between India and Australia, the main reason for which was the return of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to international cricket after a long time.
However, fans were not able to witness Ro-Ko’s magic in the first match as both the batsmen failed to perform and received heavy criticism. In the second match, Rohit Sharma stepped up and played a brilliant inning of 73 runs, but Kohli was once again out for a duck.
However, the wait for these two to bat well together and form a tremendous partnership in Sydney ODI is over. Rohit was looking in great form right from the first ball and after the early dismissal of Shubman Gill, he got support from Virat Kohli in the middle.
Together they displayed a batting masterclass and punished the Australian bowlers while chasing 237 runs. They looked in complete control and made a partnership of 168* runs in 170 balls, with Rohit scoring 121* and Kohli scoring 74*.
During his brilliant innings, Kohli did an act which quickly went viral on social media. Notably, he patted Rohit Sharma on the back of the bat, who was busy tying his shoelaces.
Watch: Virat Kohli’s playful act while hitting Rohit Sharma
– @ankaheenbatein (@bhanikasbae) 25 October 2025
It was vintage Rohit – Zaheer Khan
Speaking on Cricbuzz, fast bowling legend Zaheer Khan praised Rohit and Virat Kohli for playing brilliant innings. He said:
“This series was important for both of them in a lot of ways. The fact that the team will have plans for the World Cup cannot be ignored. It’s just about the kind of hunger they have. All those things were going to matter too and today’s performance will put all those discussions to rest. These two took it to another level and it was unimaginable.”
“It was vintage Rohit. He looked very much at ease. The first four off Starc was a sign of what was to come. He looked in great touch. Virat was equally good. The celebration of the first run from Virat was a release from all the pressure. It was sending a positive signal to everyone.”
Zaheer Khan further said that the Gautam Gambhir-led team management and selection committee should support Kohli and Rohit to play the 2027 World Cup. He elaborated:
“It’s just about having enough belief and having a clear strategy and plan. You can’t look series by series. You just have to say, ‘Okay, well, this is where we are, both of them have been great servants for the Indian team. If that’s what they want, let’s just keep the belief.’ Just keep at it and see where it takes you.
“Rohit’s celebration (silence) indicated that it is not about proving a point. When you play, that is what you want to do – win games for your team and perform brilliantly. Ups and downs are part of it. From a planning point of view, you have to sit with him and have a conversation with complete honesty and openness. And then formulate a plan.”
Also read: After Sydney ODI heroics, Shubman Gill sends ‘domestic cricket’ message to Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli
