Australia has always been a challenge for India irrespective of the format, especially when matches are played Down Under. The pitches serve plenty of pace and bounce, aspects that trouble batters more
often than not. Out of 23 ODIs played between Australia and India at the Sydney Cricket Ground, India have won only six as of 2025.
The Men in Blue have been playing ODIs at the SCG since 1980. They have won six, lost 16 and have had one contest washed out due to rain. Top-order batters, in particular, are critical in every format of the game. Speaking of batters batting up the order, Rohit Sharma exemplifies an ideal attacking player who is not afraid of going after the bowlers.
Rohit possesses quite a stellar ODI record in Australia in ODIs. In the 33 matches he has played, Rohit has registered 1530 runs at an average of 56.66. His numbers only become better when the spotlight is shifted to the SCG. Rohit has contributed to three of India's six ODI wins at the SCG since making his debut in the format in 2007.
3 Rohit Sharma knocks in India’s ODI wins vs Australia at the SCG
3. 66 off 87 (2008 Commonwealth Bank Series, 1st final):
Rohit entered in the middle with Sachin Tendulkar awaiting him after the third wicket fell in the 19th over of the run-chase. Rohit's first 50 deliveries had only two boundaries, both being down the ground past the bowling of Nathan Bracken. He brought up his second fifty of the tournament on the final ball of the 37th over and provided some solid company to Tendulkar.
Tendulkar had been feeling a bit gingery in his legs. Soon, the two brought up the 100-run stand as Bracken finished his spell conceding four fours in his eight overs that evening. Three of them came off Rohit's bat before he was dismissed by James Hopes. However, the then-21-year-old had done more than enough to help India cruise through to a vital win.
2. 99 off 108 (5th ODI, India tour of Australia 2016)
Coming into the fifth ODI of India's tour in 2016, Australia had already wrapped up the series by winning the previous four matches. Set a steep 331 for victory, India were in danger of getting whitewashed. Rohit had a quiet start to his innings, scoring only two runs off his first nine balls. His first boundary came off the 10th ball he faced, a majestic square drive past point. By the time he got to his fifty, Rohit had lost Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli at the other end.
Rohit's sixth boundary came courtesy a streaky outside edge as Steve Smith at first slip could not hold on t a potential chance. Rohit took 12 balls to transition from 80 to 90 and was also dropped by Shaun Marsh. The latter's younger brother Mitchell was denied a wicket a couple of balls after Rohit got to the 5000-run mark in ODIs. The faintest of nicks on the fifth ball of John Hastings' eighth over meant Rohit had to agonisingly walk back for 99.
1. 121* off 125 (3rd ODI, India tour of Australia 2025)
Like the aforementioned tour of 2016, the series had already gone Australia's way ahead of the final ODI in India's recent tour for three ODIs. India had bowled the hosts out for 236 in 46.4 overs in the third and final game. It was up to the batters to do their bit. Rohit was coming with scores of 8 and 73 in the first two ODIs. Kohli joined him in the middle after new ODI skipper Shubman Gill fell to Josh Hazlewood right after the conclusion of the powerplay.
Around 10 overs later, Rohit brought up his half-century while a single off Cooper Connolly in the 28th over brought up the 19th century stand between Rohit and Kohli in ODIs. At that point, Kohli had scored more than Rohit. However, it was majorly Rohit from there on, as he brought up his 33rd ODI ton with India getting to 200 at the exact same time. The long-time duo of Rohit and Kohli stayed unbeaten till the end to help their side cruise through to a nine-wicket win with 69 balls to spare.
