Rohit, Kohli guide India to big win against Australia in final ODI; avoid series whitewash

Sydney: Opener Rohit Sharma struck an unbeaten century, Virat Kohli made a fighting half-ton while pacer Harshit Rana grabbed four wickets as India defeated Australia by nine wickets in the third and final ODI but lost the series 1-2, here on Saturday.

After Rana came up with superb bowling figures of 4/39 to dismiss Australia for 236 in 46.4 overs, Rohit hit an unbeaten 125 ball 121 to make it a one-sided contest.

Rohit shared a vital 69-run partnerships with Shubman Gill (24) for the opening wicket before joining forces with Kohli (74 not out off 81 balls) for another unbroken productive 168-run stand as India chased down the target in 38.3 overs.

Brief Scores: Australia 236 all out in 46.4 overs (Matt Renshaw 56, Mitchell Marsh 41, Matthew Short 30, Harshit Rana 4/39, Washington Sundar 2/44, Axar Patel 1/18, Mohammed Siraj 1/24).

India 237 for 1 in 38.3 overs (Rohit Sharma 121 not out, Virat Kohli 74 not out).