India have made a confident start in their chase of 237 against Australia in the third and final ODI at Sydney, with openers Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli looking in fine touch. Kohli sparked buzz among fans with an unexpected on-field reaction after getting off the mark—an animated moment that reflected his trademark intensity and set social media abuzz.

Rohit Sharma, meanwhile, wasted no time in asserting dominance, racing to double figures through a flurry of crisp boundaries. The Indian skipper’s aggressive intent provided early momentum as Australia’s bowlers struggled to find breakthroughs on a pitch offering little assistance. The partnership between Rohit and Kohli has given India a commanding platform in their quest to chase down the modest total.

Earlier in the day, India’s bowlers, led by young pacer Harshit Rana, produced a superb collective effort to bowl out Australia for 236. The hosts looked in control at 183 for 3, but Rana’s brilliant spell of 4 for 39 turned the game on its head. The 22-year-old justified the faith placed in him by head coach Gautam Gambhir, consistently hitting the right lengths and dismantling Australia’s middle order.

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Mitchell Marsh, after winning the toss and electing to bat first, would have been disappointed with how his side faltered after a solid start. India’s sharp bowling, combined with inspired fielding, ensured a strong finish as wickets fell in clusters. The disciplined performance has now set the stage for the batters to wrap up the series in style.

With Kohli and Rohit looking well set, India appear on course to complete a convincing win and finish the series on a high. If the current momentum continues, Sydney might yet witness another memorable Indian chase dominated by the familiar brilliance of its seasoned stars.

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