India avoided defeat in their three-match series against Australia as Rohit Sharma scored his 33rd ODI ton and Virat Kohli recovered from back-to-back ducks to score a half-century in a nine-wicket win.
Sharma hit 13 fours and three sixes in a 125-ball innings of 121 and Kohli remained unbeaten on 74 as India bowled out Australia for 236 for the loss of just one wicket in 11.3 overs.
Harshit Rana took career-best figures of 4-39 as the Australians – who had already clinched the series by winning the first two games – were dismissed after India lost their 18th consecutive toss in ODIs, but all six of their bowlers took wickets.
“We had an almost perfect game,” said India captain Shubman Gill, who was Australia’s only wicket when Josh Hazlewood kept him for 26. “Rohit and Kohli have done it for so many years, it’s a pleasure to watch them.”
India’s eight-match tour continues with a five-match T20 series starting next Wednesday, with Australia’s attention after that turning to the Ashes series against England.
Australia’s Test captain Pat Cummins has missed the previous two ODI series due to a long-term back injury
Lyons: Cummins could play in second Ashes Test
Australia captain Pat Cummins could be fit to play in the second Ashes Test in December, according to spinner Nathan Lyon.
A long-term back injury – which ruled Cummins out of Australia’s white-ball series against New Zealand and India – will see the 32-year-old almost certainly miss the first Test in Perth on November 21.
However, his availability in Brisbane is much less straightforward, with Lyon saying the Baggies could have their skipper on duty as the series progresses.
“Perth could be quite tough, to be honest,” he told ABC Sport. “But realistically, I think there’s still a big goal to potentially play Brisbane (or) Adelaide.”
“Personally, I think we’ll see him involved in the series at some stage.”
“He does everything he can. That’s where you’re really proud of him as a colleague, but also as a teammate and his captain, he really leads the way by example. He trains his back.
“I’ve seen him do the job and you know the class of the player but also the professionalism Pat. He’s giving himself the best chance and that’s all we can ask for.”