Rohit, Kohli Sydney masterclass in India’s win over Australia

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli delivered a formidable display to help guide India to a nine-wicket win in the third ODI against Australia.

Chasing 237, the pair stitched together a masterful stand for the second wicket to see through a favourable result for the visitors in Sydney.

Speaking after their heroics, the duo opened up on years of touring Down Under, at the end of a likely final assignment in Australia.

“I have always loved coming here, and enjoyed playing cricket at this venue (in Sydney),” Rohit told the broadcasters.

“Brought back nice memories of 2008 (his first tour of Australia), it was fun, don't know if we're going to come back (as cricketers), but I've enjoyed every bit.

“Forget about what happened in the last 15 years, I've always loved playing here, I think it'll be the same for Virat as well. Thank you Australia.”

Rohit picked up off his impressive outing in Adelaide, and played an even chanceless knock, notching his 33rd ODI hundred.

The former India skipper is third in the tally for most hundreds in the format behind Virat Kohli (51) and Sachin Tendulkar (49).

Meanwhile, Kohli, who had been dismissed for successive ducks in the first two ODIs, got back among the runs with a valuable half-century.

“Good to be out of the pond, honestly. I am kind of lost. You might've played international cricket for a long time, but the game shows you ways,” Kohli said on his series with the bat.

“Almost 37 (years old) in the next few days, but chasing always brings the best out of me, nice to have a big match-winning partnership (with Rohit).”

Opening up on his experience of batting alongside Rohit in the format, Kohli added, “I think from early on, we've understood the situation well, that's what we've always done well (as a pair), we're probably the most experienced pair now, but back in the day when we were young - we knew we could take the game away from them with big partnerships.

“I think it all started in 2013 (the home series against Australia), if we put up a big partnership, play around 20 overs, we know we'll go a long way in helping the team win and even the opposition realise it.

“We've loved coming to this country, we've played some good cricket,” he concluded.

Kohli’s unbeaten knock of 74 saw him leap past Kumar Sangakkara to become the second-highest run-getter in Men’s ODIs history. Currently boasting 14255 runs from 305 matches, Kohli is only behind Sachin Tendulkar in the all-time tally.

The win for India marked their first in the format against Australia at the venue since 2016.

With Australia having gained an unassailable lead following consecutive wins in Perth and Adelaide, India put in an impressive performance to pull one back in Sydney.

Having been put in to bowl first, India restricted the hosts to 236. Leading the way with the ball was Harshit Rana, who notched a four-wicket haul, finishing with figures of 4/39.

The two teams will next lock horns in a five-match T20I series starting October 29.