Rohit Sharma & Virat Kohli Shine in Win, Thank Australian Fans After 9-Wicket Victory at SCG
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli steered India to a 9-wicket victory at the SCG on Saturday. The pair also thanked the Australian audience in an emotional post-match interview.
Aadrika Tayal 
New Delhi (India) October 25: India’s former captains Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma said an emotional farewell to the Australian fans on Saturday, October 25. In what could be their last game together in Australia, the legendary pair stitched a 168-run stand for the second wicket as India wrapped up a comprehensive 9-wicket win at Sydney Cricket Ground.
Post Match Interview
In an open post-match conversation with the broadcaster, Rohit and Virat also talked about their lengthy involvement with Australian cricket and thanked the fans for their warmth and welcome throughout that time.
The senior Indian pair then starred once again on Saturday as they secured a consolation win for India. Their unbroken union not only sealed a win for the visitors, but also provided a timely reminder towards the latter stages of their illustrious international careers.
Kohli praises Aussie crowd warmth
Kohli said, “We want to say thank you as well. We love coming to this country and playing in front of such 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 recalls fond 2008 memories
Rohit agreed with Kohli, and said it was pleasing to end his Australia tour on a similar note as it started in 2008. In that series, Rohit Sharma was a young knock of 66 off 87 balls in the company of Sachin Tendulkar – it proved to be pivotal as India had beaten Australia with a bonus point at Brisbane in the first final of the CB Series.
He said, “I have always enjoyed playing cricket here in Australia. I have fond memories of 2008, and it is a nice way to finish, getting that talk, getting that win, and feeling that connection again. 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.”
Partnership milestone
In ODIs, when the two have batted together they brought up a partnership of more than 5,500 runs. In their own right they are both past 25,000 ODI runs and cemented as two of India’s greatest one-day players.
Veterans eye 2027 ODI World Cup after resilient comeback
The pair are now targeting playing into their 40s and towards the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa. Their partnership here with the World Cup just two and a half years away, may have brought them one more opportunity to demonstrate that they can still cut it on the biggest stage of all.
Not the easiest of series Down Under for Rohit and Virat. Neither had covered themselves in glory after underperforming in the opening clash of the series, on the spicy pitch at Perth. Rohit had reclaimed his form with a potentially match-changing innings in the second game but Kohli fell for his second duck in 2 games.
