Rohit, Kohli stay relevant with unbeaten 168-run partnership in big win over Aussies

Just when it seemed like the Rohit Sharma-Virat Kohli combo might be a long-forgotten memory, the veterans combined to script a brilliant win for Team India in the third ODI against Australia.

Opener Rohit hit an unbeaten 121, while Kohli remained on 74 not out as India won by nine wickets, chasing a modest target of 237 runs in Sydney on Saturday.

The famous win that came in 38.3 overs, however, only served as a consolation as India had lost the three-match series with defeats in Perth and Adelaide.

Rohit had rediscovered his form after a lacklustre start in Perth (8) by scoring 73 in the second ODI. But India could not defend the total of 264/9, losing by 2 wickets.

Kohli, on the other hand, needed a performance worthy of his accomplishments Down Under, and also after consecutive ducks in the ongoing series. The ace No 3 batter joined Rohit after the dismissal of captain Shubman Gill (24). He did not hit a six in his 81-ball innings, which comprised seven boundaries.

The crowd cheered when Kohli got off the mark with a single against Hazlewood. The star batter saw the funny side by bringing out a mild celebration. Rohit was the aggressive of the two, hitting three sixes and 13 boundaries from 125 balls.

Earlier, Matt Renshaw scored a half-century (56) after skipper Mitchell Marsh made 41, but Harshit Rana's impressive bowling restricted the hosts to 236. Rana claimed 4/39, while spinner Washington Sundar bagged 2/44.

Rohit and Kohli are not part of India's T20I squad that will play a five-match series against Australia, starting October 29 in Canberra.

Brief scores: Australia 236 in 46.4 overs (Matt Renshaw 56, Mitchell Marsh 41, Matthew Short 30, 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)