Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were the star performers for India in the third ODI against Australia as they won the match comprehensively by 9 wickets and avoided a series whitewash. With the Men in Blue requiring 237 runs to win, Rohit and Virat formed a humongous partnership of 168 runs and ensured that the Men in Blue chased down the target comfortably. While Rohit scored a fine century and remained unbeaten on 121, Kohli also p layed a robust knock of 77 to end the series on a positive note.
Pathan was left thoroughly impressed with the two's performance and pointed out that with their knocks, the two batters ensured that their average in Australia remains over 50.
“The way things unfolded today, it felt like it was meant to be. Nothing could be better than watching both these great players finish the match together. Virat needed around 70-74 runs in this game to maintain an average of 50 in Australia, and he made exactly that. If this isn’t poetic justice, then what is?" Pathan said on Star Sports.
Pathan hails Rohit for losing weight
Pathan further credited Rohit for working immensely hard and losing his weight. He also hailed the 38-year-old for making a great recovery after his run-out in the second match and going on to score a hundred in the penultimate game of the series.
“Rohit worked so hard, he reduced weight, put in the effort, and his improved fitness showed when he quickly recovered from that run-out in the second match. Both have shown that ‘picture abhi baaki hai mere dost,’ (the story isn’t over yet)," Pathan stated.
Who will India face next in ODIs?
Meanwhile, Rohit and Virat will now set their sights on India's next ODI assignment that will be a three-match series against South Africa and will commence from November 30. This will be the Men in Blue's final one-day assignment of the year and the two will be hoping to end the year on a high.