When Rohit Sharma, captain of India national cricket team smashed 73 runs off 97 balls at Adelaide Oval on 23 October 2025, the Indian side posted 264/9 but fell short as Australia national cricket team clinched the three‑match series with a two‑wicket win.
Series backdrop and the pressure on Rohit
The Adelaide clash was the second ODI of a three‑game set that began in Perth on 20 October. In the opening match at Perth Stadium, Sharma managed a single‑digit score, prompting a wave of criticism from fans and pundits alike. At 38, the veteran had a reputation for explosive openings, but his early dismissal in Perth left the Indian camp scrambling for stability.
Australia, under the steady leadership of Mitchell Marsh, seized the momentum, winning the first game by six wickets. The series therefore hung in the balance, with the third ODI at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on 26 October poised to be a potential series decider.
Sharma’s measured innings
From the outset Sharma adopted a cautious tempo. He accumulated just 24 runs from his first 50 deliveries, a stark contrast to his usual 80‑plus strike‑rate. The innings turned a corner in the 15th over when he nudged a single off Cooper Connolly's delivery, marking his 59th ODI fifty.
Two massive pull shots off Australian fast‑bowler Mitchell Owen later produced the only sixes of his knock, lifting his tally to 73. He finished as India’s top‑scorer, guiding the side to a respectable 264/9.
Supporting performances from the Indian lineup
- Shreyas Iyer contributed 61 off 77 balls, his measured stroke play keeping the run‑rate afloat.
- Axar Patel added 44 runs, showcasing his handy lower‑order bat.
- Young opener Shubman Gill managed only 9 runs, a silent reminder of the weight on India’s top order.
Australia’s chase and the series clinch
Australia’s chase was anchored by steady knocks from Matthew Short and a crucial 45‑run cameo from Cooper Connolly. Marsh won the toss, fielded first, and then set a disciplined field that forced India into a series of singles and dot balls.
In the final overs, Australia needed 12 runs with three wickets in hand. A calm boundary from Short sealed a two‑wicket victory, giving the visitors a 2‑0 series lead and making the third ODI a formality.
Expert commentary: Aakash Chopra’s take
Former test stalwart Aakash Chopra, now a cricket analyst, praised Sharma’s innings on his YouTube channel, saying, “What a wonderful thing Rohit Sharma taught us: beauty lies in painting, not in batting. Batting doesn’t have to be beautiful; it has to be effective. The innings was a test by fire, refining a batter much like gold in flames.” He went on, “At the beginning, the runs were ugly, but Sharma refused to surrender. That grit is exactly what we saw.”
Statistical milestones and historical context
The match also saw Sharma edge past former captain Sourav Ganguly to become India’s third‑highest run‑scorer in ODIs, now standing at 11,249 runs from 275 matches at an average of 48.69. Only Sachin Tendulkar (18,426 runs) and Virat Kohli (14,181 runs) remain ahead.
Sharma’s strike‑rate of 75.26 in Adelaide was deliberately lower than his career ODI rate of roughly 88.5, underscoring a strategic pivot to preserve wickets rather than chase a rapid total.
India’s loss has implications for ICC rankings; a 2‑0 series deficit against a top‑four side could see them slip one place in the ODI table. Conversely, Australia’s clean sweep strengthens their claim to the coveted top spot.
Looking ahead, the final ODI at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on 26 October will likely be a formality, but both teams will use it to fine‑tune line‑ups ahead of the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. Since his debut in 2007, Sharma has amassed six double‑hundreds, the most by any player in limited‑overs cricket. His evolution from an aggressive opener to a versatile finisher mirrors India’s own shift from a reliance on individual brilliance to a more collaborative batting approach. The Adelaide innings, though modest in tempo, exemplifies his adaptability – a trait that will serve him well as the international calendar tightens.
For Australia, the series win adds a rare clean sweep on Indian soil, a feat not achieved since their 2012 tour of India. Their bowlers, especially fast‑bowler Mitchell Owen, showed a mix of swing and pace that troubled the Indian top order.
Surpassing Sourav Ganguly makes Sharma the third‑highest run‑scorer in India’s ODI history, cementing his legacy alongside Tendulkar and Kohli. The milestone also boosts his confidence ahead of the World Cup, showing he can adjust his game when required. Australia combined disciplined bowling, especially the late‑over swing from Mitchell Owen, with steady scoring from Matthew Short and Cooper Connolly. Winning the toss and setting a field that forced India into singles also played a crucial role. At 25, Shubman Gill continues to be a promising opener despite a modest start here. The all‑round capabilities of Axar Patel and the consistency of Shreyas Iyer also make them vital for future contests. The third match is scheduled for 26 October 2025 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Victoria, Australia. With the series already decided, both sides will likely experiment with line‑ups. Australia’s 2‑0 lead is expected to boost their ranking points, potentially moving them into the top‑three. India may see a slight dip, dropping one position unless they win the remaining match convincingly.Broader impact and what lies ahead
Historical deep‑dive: Rohit Sharma’s ODI journey
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