Pressure brings out the best in India vs Australia ODIs. When the chase tightens, eyes move to Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Their rhythm, their calm, their timing under lights, all of it shapes India’s mood in these heavyweight games.
Sydney 2025 added fresh weight to that story. A third ODI that could have ended in a sweep turned into a steady, unbeaten stand that lifted the group. The partnership was clean and composed, and it reminded everyone why they still trust these two to steer a chase.
This breakdown collects the crisp takeaways you need. The big stand in the Sydney ODI, the best knocks you should remember, the key records that matter, and what these moments say about India in big games.
Sydney 2025: The 168-run stand that lifted India in the third ODI
Photo by Harshil Suthar
India walked into the third ODI in Sydney, October 25, 2025, trailing 0-2. The series was gone, but pride and clarity still mattered. Australia set 236. India answered with 237 for 1 in 38.3 overs, winning by 9 wickets.
Rohit Sharma finished with 121 not out. Virat Kohli stayed on 74 not out. Together they added a 168-run unbeaten stand for the second wicket. It settled the chase early, quieted the bowlers, and took the sting out of the field.
The start was measured. After an early wicket, the pair played risk-smart cricket, ran hard, and picked the gaps. Boundaries came on their terms. Rohit set the tone with tempo control and clean hits in his zones. Kohli kept the board moving, then lifted the pace when the ball softened.
This win mattered for more than the scoreline. It avoided a whitewash, which keeps dressing room energy in a good place. It also sharpened selection conversations. Roles at the top looked clear. The method in a chase looked repeatable. Sydney, in short, gave the group a finish that can travel.
Rohit Sharma’s 121* vs Australia, a record-setting century
Rohit’s 121 not out was his 33rd ODI hundred and his ninth against Australia. That tally puts him level with Sachin Tendulkar for the most ODI centuries vs Australia by an Indian. He looked in control from ball one, handled the new ball with soft hands, and kept the gaps busy. When the bowler missed, he cashed in with clean power. This was the template, simple and ruthless. Keywords at play: Rohit Sharma 121*, ninth century vs Australia.
Virat Kohli’s calm 74* after two early ducks
Kohli entered this match after a rough start to the series. His answer was a calm 74 not out that held the chase together. He read the pitch fast, chose safe singles when lines were tight, and waited for length to drive square. The innings was not flashy, it was right for the chase. For rhythm and confidence, this was a sharp reset. Keywords: Virat Kohli 74*, return to form, Sydney ODI.
Why this win mattered even in a 2-1 series loss
Sydney kept the series 2-1, not 3-0. That counts. The group left with proof of a working chase plan and belief in known roles. It also gave bowlers a good day’s work after they dragged Australia back from a strong start. Finishing well often shapes the next month. Sydney did that, and it put a calm line under selections for the next tour.
Rohit Sharma vs Australia in ODIs: records and best knocks that stand out
Rohit Sharma loves the Australia match-up. Across formats he has range, but in ODIs he has repeatable success. He now owns 9 ODI centuries against Australia, level with Sachin Tendulkar. The count includes big away scores, with six ODI hundreds in Australia as a visiting batter, a high-water mark on those tracks.
Why does it work? His game fits the bounce and pace. Early on, he plays late and keeps the ball down. He trusts the leave when length is tight. Short balls do not rush him. Once set, he widens the arc, picks the pull, and punishes width. It is power with patience.
Sydney has been kind to him over time. The 171 not out in 2016, the crisp 133 in 2019, and the unbeaten 121 in 2025 all came with the same core: soft hands in the first 30 balls, then acceleration when the ball gets older. When Rohit gets past 20 in Australia, you can often see the field wilt. Bowlers get stuck between tight lines and boundary risk.
His ODI record against Australia sits at an elite average, and the strike rate is healthy without being reckless. Big scores and real control, that is the blend that keeps India in games and sets platforms for middle overs.
Most ODI centuries vs Australia, tied with Sachin Tendulkar
Rohit’s 9 ODI centuries against Australia put him level with Sachin Tendulkar for the most by an Indian against that opponent. It is a mark of consistency across venues and attacks. Year after year, he has found ways to absorb the new ball and finish with a higher gear. Against world-class pace, that is rare.
Six ODI hundreds in Australia as a visiting batter
Scoring six ODI hundreds in Australia as a visiting player speaks to skill, not streaks. The ball bounces more, the square boundaries can be longer, and the new ball swings early in the day. Rohit’s method copes with all of it. Think of a start at 20 off 35, then a late push to 100 off 115, with the pull in control and drives on a low risk line. That rhythm wins over time.
How Rohit wins the match-up: pull shot, tempo control, and powerplay calm
- Pull shot control: He picks the length early and keeps shape through the shot.
- Tempo control: He builds in tens, 10 to 30, 30 to 60, then 60 to 90, with clear scoring zones.
- Powerplay calm: Low dots, steady singles, and fewer loose drives, which keeps slips quiet.
Virat Kohli vs Australia in ODIs: clutch chases and steady class
Virat Kohli’s record against Australia in ODIs is built on repeatable decisions. He has 8 ODI hundreds against them, and many came in chases or tight first-innings builds. The method is clean. He respects the top of off, works the square field, and bursts in pockets rather than long sways of risk.
At No. 3, he reads the pitch fast and adjusts strike rotation to suit. If pace grips, he plays later and waits for width. If it skids on, he drives fuller and cashes in on straight lines. This is why he holds form even when the scorecard looks tricky. He is a pace of play expert.
Since 2019, his average in ODIs has held steady, with clear value in second innings. Fitness gives him late-overs speed between the wickets. That turns ones into twos and keeps the pressure on the field.
Eight ODI hundreds vs Australia, built on smart risks
Kohli’s 8 ODI hundreds against Australia do not come from slog. They come from smart risks and a grip on line and length. He is happy at 85 to 95 strike rate early, then moves towards 100-plus if conditions allow. Singles to midwicket, cuts behind point, and that punch down the ground, all add up. It looks simple. That is the point.
Partnerships with Rohit that set up wins
The pairing works because roles fit. Rohit handles bounce early and vends boundaries when bowlers miss. Kohli manages the middle overs, drains dots, and tilts the field his way. Sydney 2025 was a textbook case. After a quiet first spell, they split the field in twos and kept the board ahead of rate. Timing, roles, and a read on the pitch carried the chase home.
Form since 2019 and why his method holds under pressure
Since 2019, Kohli’s one-day game has leaned on tempo, not brute force. He trusts gaps and timing over slog, which lowers errors. In chases, his legs are a weapon, and his reads against pace stay sharp late. Many teams lose shape in overs 30 to 40. He does not. That is why pressure games still suit him.
Conclusion
Sydney 2025 underlined three clear points. First, calm under pressure still defines Rohit and Kohli in India vs Australia ODIs. Second, Rohit’s record in Australia sets the tone at the top and keeps the chase stable. Third, Kohli’s method anchors the middle and finishes strong. Keep an eye on how their roles evolve in the next India vs Australia ODIs, especially in tight chases. Thanks for reading. What moment from their partnership stands out most to you?
