3 biggest positives for India from ODI series against Australia

Overview

• India claimed a dominant 9-wicket win in the third ODI of the 2025 series against Australia in Sydney
• While India avoided a whitewash by ending the ODI series on a high, they lost the series 1-2 
• For India, the best performers in the series were the likes of Harshit Rana, Axar Patel, and Rohit Sharma

India claimed a dominant 9-wicket win in the third ODI of the 2025 series against Australia in Sydney. The duo of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli batted very well, whose partnership of 168*(170) helped the team win the match. While India avoided a whitewash by ending the ODI series on a high, they lost the series 1-2. 

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It was a series of a mixed bag for India. The first ODI in Perth was marred by continuous interruptions from rain, which never took off. In the second ODI, the Indian team collectively failed despite ensuring a close match eventually. The third ODI belonged to India all the way, as the Australian team was tamed in all departments.

3 biggest positives for India from ODI series against Australia

Axar Patel

Axar Patel had a very good series both as a batter and as a bowler. In the first ODI in Perth, the Southpaw scored 31(38) and claimed 1/19 in his 4 overs with the ball. In the second ODI, he was even better with the bat, as he scored 46(41) and claimed 1/52 in his 10 overs with the ball.

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In the third ODI, Axar did not get a chance to bat. However, he bowled well and claimed 1/18 with the ball in his 6 overs, including the wicket of Mitchell Marsh. While he could not pick a lot of wickets, Patel made a good impact as an All-rounder in the series. He made sure that the management did not regret pickig him in the XI in all three matches.

Harshit Rana

Harshit Rana's place in the side was questioned before the start of the series. The emerging star replied in the best way possible with his bowling and cameos with the bat. His performance in the series has given India a reason to back him more in the leadup to the ODI World Cup 2025. In the first ODI in Perth, Rana conceded 0/27 in his 4 overs.

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However, he quickly turned things around with his performance in the second ODI, where he scored a fine 24*(18) and claimed 2/59 including the wickets of Travis Head and Matthew Short. In the third ODI, Rana registered the best spell of his career, 4/39 and played a key role in India's win.

Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma had a fine series as a batter. The Indian opener had not played a match for the national side in half a year. Coming into the series, there was probably a bit of pressure for him to perform. The veteran did exactly that, as he ended the series as the leading run scorer.

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The first ODI in Perth wasn't good for him, as he was dismissed for 8(14). However, he batted well in the second match in Adelaide, where he scored 73(97). The right-handed batter had a blast in the third ODI, where he scored 121*(125). In the process, he won te Player of the Match and the Player of the Series awards.