Rohit and Kohli Roll Back the Years with Vintage Sydney Stand
For what could be their final outing together on Australian soil, Indian stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli produced a masterclass in batting, stitching together an unbroken 168-run partnership to guide India to victory at a packed Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).
The duo, who have defined a generation of Indian cricket, turned back the clock in front of a sea of blue-clad fans. Rohit’s sublime 33rd ODI century and Kohli’s fluent half-century sealed the win and the series, earning Rohit both the Player of the Match and Player of the Series awards.
It was a fitting venue for Rohit’s farewell flourish in Australia. The SCG has been special for him ever since he announced his arrival with a half-century in the 2008 CB Series final alongside Sachin Tendulkar. Reflecting on his journey, the Indian skipper said,
“I’ve always loved coming here. I enjoy playing cricket in Australia — so many good and bad memories, but I’ll take all the cricket I’ve played here. I don’t know if we’ll be coming back, but it’s been fun all these years.”
At 38, Rohit and Kohli now feature primarily in one format, but both veterans remain committed to staying fresh and competitive.
“We enjoy our cricket, no matter what,” Rohit said. “Accolades are nice, but every time you play, you’ve got to start fresh. That’s what we did on this tour. Forget the last 15–17 years — it’s all about starting over and enjoying the game.”
Kohli, who endured consecutive ducks earlier in the series — the first time in his ODI career — found form when it mattered most, anchoring the chase with composure and class.
“Good to be out of the pond, honestly,” Kohli admitted with a smile. “Even after so many years, the game humbles you. At 37, there are still days when you feel you’ve forgotten how to score runs — that’s why we love this sport. Batting with Rohit always feels natural; we just understand each other’s game.”
The partnership took their career tally to 5483 runs, making them the third-most prolific duo in ODI history, surpassing Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara and Tillakaratne Dilshan. Only Tendulkar-Ganguly (8227) and Sangakkara-Jayawardene (5992) remain ahead.
Reflecting on their long-standing chemistry, Kohli recalled how their synergy grew over the years.
“From very early on, we understood each other’s game,” he said. “Back in 2013 against Australia at home, we started building those big stands. From then on, the opposition knew — if we’re in together for 20 overs, the game’s never done. I’ve really enjoyed batting with Rohit, and it’s great to know we’ve scored a few together.”
For fans at the SCG and millions watching back home, it was a nostalgic reminder of India’s golden era of batting — and perhaps the last great chapter of one of cricket’s most celebrated partnerships.