Introduction
In a stirring finale on Australian soil, the evergreen Indian batting duo Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma delivered one last master-class in the ODI arena. In what is widely being touted as their “farewell” Down Under, they guided India to a commanding nine-wicket win in the 3rd ODI against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground on 25 October 2025. The occasion was more than just a match—it was the closing of a long and storied chapter in Indian cricket’s overseas adventures.
Below we take you through the build-up, the emotions and what the legends themselves had to say—including memorable quotes from the post-match interview with former greats Adam Gilchrist and Ravi Shastri—
1. The Final Act in Australia.jpeg)
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From the outset of the series, the spectre of “last time in Australia” loomed large for both Kohli and Rohit. While results didn’t always go India’s way earlier in the tour, their final appearance achieved exactly what every farewell deserves: a statement win.
In the chase of 237, the batting heavyweights stitched an unbeaten 168-run stand for the second wicket—Rohit unbeaten on 121 off 125 and Kohli contributing a resolute 74 off 81. The result: a comfortable 9-wicket victory inside 38.3 overs.
2. Emotional Goodbye & Tributes.jpeg)
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After the final action, the duo stepped into a candid interview with Gilchrist and Shastri, where raw emotion and heartfelt gratitude surfaced.
- Kohli said:
“We want to say thank you as well. We’ve loved coming to this country, and playing in front of big crowds. We’ve played some of our best cricket here too. So, thank you very much for welcoming us so warmly. You guys are brilliant; we’ve never felt short of support here.”
- Rohit added:
“I have always enjoyed playing cricket here in Australia. I have fond memories of 2008, and it is a nice way to finish… I don’t know if we will be coming back to Australia, but it has been a lot of fun over all these years that we have played here. Thank you, Australia.”
- And from Ravi Shastri (on-field in the interview):
“But you two old dogs still have a sting in the tail.”
Rohit’s response was telling:
“Looks like it, yes. We enjoy our cricket…”
Which suggests that while this may be a farewell Down Under, the journey is not necessarily over.
3. Legacy & Partnership
The Kohli-Rohit axis has defined Indian ODI batting for a decade. Their combined tally and the runs amassed while batting together say it all.
- Over 5,500 runs together in ODIs while batting in tandem.
- A collective total of over 25,000 ODI runs between them.
- Their first significant realisation of partnership came during the 2013 home series vs Australia, as Kohli said:
“Very early on, we understood the game very well, and that is something we have taken a lot of pride in.”
This final knock in Sydney will be remembered not just for the outcome, but how it encapsulated their enduring class.
4. Why This Matters
- For Indian cricket: It marks a sentimental end of an era in Australia—a country where Indian teams once feared to tread, but where Kohli and Rohit made travelling feel triumphant.
- For the duo’s career arc: Their last innings in Australia serve as a high note, allowing them to bow out (at least from this venue) on their terms.
- For the fans: It’s a moment to reflect on countless memories: hundreds, chases, records, and shared celebrations.
6. Conclusion
As the sun set at the Sydney Cricket Ground for the trio of Kohli, Rohit and the Indian team’s Australian tour, what remained was the image of two legends walking off with dignity, class and mutual respect—for the game, for the fans, and for each other. Whether it was their first trip Down Under in 2008/2011 or this final outing in 2025, their legacy is cemented.
“You might’ve played international cricket for a long time, but the game shows you ways…” —Virat Kohli
Whether this was truly the final chapter in Australia or just a close of one volume remains to be seen. But for now, the farewell has been beautifully written.
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