In a heartwarming display of camaraderie and sportsmanship, Indian cricket team skipper Rohit Sharma made headlines when he asked KL Rahul to collect the trophy after the ODI series against Australia. This gesture occurred as KL Rahul led the team in the first two games, with Rohit resting, then returned for the third match in Rajkot. Despite a tough loss in the third ODI, India clinched the series 2-1, thanks to their remarkable performances in Mohali and Indore. This gesture of passing the trophy exemplified Rohit Sharma’s leadership and garnered widespread attention on social media.
India’s Strong Start
The ODI series against Australia began with Rohit Sharma taking a well-deserved rest for the first two matches. KL Rahul, a versatile wicket-keeper batter, assumed the role of captaincy. India kicked off the series on a high note, registering impressive victories in Mohali and Indore, which put them ahead with a 2-0 lead.
Rohit Sharma’s Return
Rohit Sharma returned to the playing XI for the third ODI in Rajkot, ready to contribute to the team’s success. His leadership and batting prowess were highly anticipated.
The Third ODI
Unfortunately, the third ODI in Rajkot didn’t unfold as expected for the Indian side. Australia showcased their best cricket, and the Indian middle-order faced pressure from the part-time off-spin of Glenn Maxwell. India lost the match by 66 runs, but they had already secured the series victory.
After the third ODI, Rohit Sharma expressed his feelings regarding the series. He stated, “I’m pretty happy, of course. I want to go all the way, but I’m happy if I’m hitting like that. In the last 7-to-8 ODIs, we have played well and been challenged under different conditions and teams; I thought we responded to that challenge pretty well. Unfortunately, not the result we wanted today.”
Captain @ImRo45 & @klrahul collect the @IDFCFIRSTBank Trophy as #TeamIndia win the ODI series 2⃣-1⃣ 👏👏#INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/k3JiTMiVGJ
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 27, 2023
India’s chase in the third ODI appeared promising as they reached 171 for 2 while chasing a challenging target of 353. Skipper Rohit Sharma (81) and Virat Kohli struck fifties, providing a solid platform for the middle-order. However, the rest of the middle-order faltered under the pressure created by Glenn Maxwell, who picked up crucial wickets. India finished their innings at 286 in 49.4 overs.
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In the third ODI, Mitchell Marsh was the standout performer for Australia, scoring an impressive 96 runs. David Warner, Steve Smith, and Marnus Labuschagne also played aggressive innings, contributing to Australia’s commanding performance. This win marked a significant turnaround for Australia, ending their five-ODI losing streak.
The two cricketing giants, India and Australia, will now prepare for the upcoming series with a couple of warm-up games. The much-anticipated tournament opener is scheduled in Chennai on October 8th.
