India avoided a whitewash in the three-match series against Australia as Rohit Sharma hit his 33rd ODI ton and Virat Kohli recovered from back-to-back ducks to hit a half-century in a nine-wicket win.
Sharma hit 13 fours and three sixes in his 125-ball innings while Kohli was unbeaten on 74 balls as India beat Australia’s 236-ball total in 11.3 overs with the loss of just one wicket.
Harshit Rana took career-best figures of 4-39 as India were dismissed after losing 18 consecutive toss in the ODI for the Australian team who had already won the first two games to clinch the series, but all six bowlers took their wickets.
“We played an almost perfect performance. Rohit and Kohli have been doing it for years and it’s fun to watch,” said India captain Shubman Gill, whose only wicket was taken by Australia when Josh Hazlewood was bowled out for 26.
India’s eight-match tour continues with a five-match T20 series from next Wednesday, after which Australia’s attention turns to the Ashes series against England.
Australia Test captain Pat Cummins has missed the last two ODI series due to a long-standing back injury.
Lyons: Cummins could play in second Ashes test
Australia captain Pat Cummins will be eligible to play in the second Ashes Test in December, according to spinner Nathan Lyon.
The 32-year-old will almost certainly miss the first Test in Perth on November 21 due to a long-standing back injury that has ruled him out of Australia’s white-ball series against New Zealand and India.
However, his availability in Brisbane is much less straightforward. Lyon said Baggy Greens could take on the captaincy as the series progresses.
“Perth is going to be quite difficult, to be honest,” he told ABC Sports. “But realistically, I think we still have big goals to play against Brisbane (or) Adelaide.
“I personally think we will see him involved in the series at some stage.
“He’s doing everything he can. That’s where I’m really proud of him, not only as a team-mate but also as a team-mate and captain. He’s leading by example. He’s training the backline.
“I’ve seen him work and you know not only the class of the player but also Pat’s professionalism. He’s giving himself the best opportunity and that’s all we can ask for.”
