Australia Dominate the Rain-Affected Opener, Lead Series 1-0
In a rain-hit first ODI at the Optus Stadium, Perth, Australia thrashed India by seven wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.
The match, shortened to 26 overs per side due to intermittent rain, saw India collapse to 136/9, before Australia comfortably chased down a revised target of 131 runs in 21.1 overs.
While the clash was expected to mark the strong comeback of Indian stars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, both failed to impress. Instead, it was Josh Hazlewood’s fiery opening spell and Mitchell Marsh’s unbeaten 46 that defined Australia’s dominance on home soil.
Rain Disruptions and Early Struggles for India
The match began under overcast skies, which instantly made life difficult for Indian batters. After a delayed start and multiple interruptions, the game was reduced to 26 overs.
Winning the toss, India chose to bat first — but the decision quickly backfired. The Australian pace duo of Hazlewood and Sean Abbott extracted sharp bounce and seam movement from the surface, leaving India in deep trouble within the first ten overs.
By the time the skies cleared, India’s innings had lost momentum, with the scoreboard reading 45 for 4. None of the top-order batters could survive long enough to rebuild the innings.
Hazlewood and Abbott Lead the Bowling Onslaught
Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood set the tone early with an outstanding spell of 2 wickets for 20 runs in 7 overs, claiming the crucial wickets of Shubman Gill (10) and Shreyas Iyer (11).
His relentless accuracy, combined with the bounce from the Perth track, proved too good for India’s top order.
Sean Abbott and Marcus Stoinis maintained the pressure, striking at regular intervals. Stoinis’s clever variations and short-of-length deliveries accounted for India’s middle-order struggles, particularly the dismissal of KL Rahul (38), who was the only Indian batter to show resistance.
Rohit and Kohli Fail to Impress on Return
The much-anticipated return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli turned out to be a disappointment.
Rohit, who was making his ODI comeback after nearly three months, fell for just 8 runs, edging a Hazlewood delivery to the slips. Kohli followed soon after, dismissed for a duck, trying to play a drive outside off-stump.
The early collapse exposed India’s middle order far too soon, and with limited overs at their disposal, the team never found the momentum to recover.
KL Rahul and Axar Patel Offer Late Resistance
Amid the chaos, KL Rahul (38 off 41 balls) and Axar Patel (31 off 27) stitched a crucial 47-run partnership to bring some respectability to the total.
Rahul batted with composure, mixing defense with occasional boundaries, while Axar displayed aggressive intent during the final few overs.
However, both fell in quick succession, leaving India reeling. The lower order added only 10 more runs, as the innings ended at 136 for 9 in 26 overs.
India’s Scorecard (26 overs)
Batter Runs Balls 4s 6s
Rohit Sharma 8 12 1 0
Shubman Gill 10 14 1 0
Virat Kohli 0 5 0 0
Shreyas Iyer 11 16 2 0
KL Rahul 38 41 3 1
Axar Patel 31 27 2 1
Ravindra Jadeja 7 10 0 0
Kuldeep Yadav 4 9 0 0
Mohammed Siraj 3 7 0 0
Extras 24 — — —
Total 136/9 (26 overs) — — —
Australia’s Chase: Marsh and Philippe Seal It with Ease
Chasing 131 under the DLS method, Australia started aggressively.
Skipper Mitchell Marsh led from the front with an unbeaten 46 off 52 balls, anchoring the innings with maturity and power.
His opening partner, Josh Philippe, added 37 off 29 balls, hitting five fours and two sixes to keep the chase well ahead of the asking rate.
Even after losing three wickets, the Australians never looked under pressure. Marnus Labuschagne (22) and Steve Smith (10)* guided the team home in just 21.1 overs.
Australia’s Scorecard
Batter Runs Balls 4s 6s
Mitchell Marsh (c) 46* 52 6 1
Josh Philippe 37 29 5 2
Marnus Labuschagne 22 24 3 0
Steve Smith 10* 13 1 0
Extras 16 — — —
Total 131/3 (21.1 overs) — — —
Result: Australia won by 7 wickets (DLS Method)
Player of the Match: Josh Hazlewood (2/20 in 7 overs)
Fielding and Tactical Highlights
Despite the one-sided result, there were a few notable moments in the field:
- Mohammed Siraj produced a brilliant boundary save that briefly lifted India’s energy levels.
- Axar Patel’s near run-out of Marsh could have changed the chase’s tempo.
- Australia’s catching in the slips, especially from Marnus Labuschagne, was top-class.
- The Australians executed their fielding plans with precision, while India’s fielders looked flat after repeated setbacks.
Expert Analysis: Why India Lost
Cricket experts and former players were unanimous — India’s failure was largely due to poor shot selection and an inability to adjust to Perth’s conditions.
1. Lack of Application: Top-order batters threw away wickets playing away from the body.
2. Pace Misjudgment: Perth’s bounce and carry were underestimated by Indian batters.
3. Ineffective Bowling: Despite overcast conditions, Indian bowlers couldn’t replicate Australia’s seam movement.
4. Rusty Comeback: The senior duo of Rohit and Kohli looked far from their fluent best.
Former coach Ravi Shastri, speaking on commentary, remarked:
> “India’s batting lacked clarity. These conditions test technique and temperament, and unfortunately, both went missing today.”
Captains’ Reactions
Mitchell Marsh (Australia Captain):
> “We executed our plans really well. Hazlewood’s spell set the tone and the chase was clinical. It’s always good to start a series with a win.”
Shubman Gill (India Captain):
> “We didn’t bat the way we wanted to. The pitch offered something, but we should have shown more discipline. Credit to Australia they outplayed us in every department.”
Series Impact and Road Ahead
With this emphatic win, Australia have gained a 1-0 lead and the psychological edge heading into the second ODI at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on October 22, 2025.
The hosts will look to seal the series early, while India face a must-win scenario to stay alive.
For India, the main focus will be on:
- Strengthening the top-order approach.
- Reassessing the team balance, possibly introducing a specialist batter in place of an extra spinner.
- Improving bowling discipline to utilize early conditions better.
Statistical Snapshot
- Highest Partnership (India): KL Rahul & Axar Patel – 47 runs
- Best Bowling (Australia): Josh Hazlewood – 2/20
- Fastest Scoring (Australia): Josh Philippe – Strike rate 127.5
- Fall of Wickets (India): 1/8, 2/20, 3/25, 4/45, 5/92, 6/104, 7/118, 8/124, 9/136
Looking Ahead to 2nd ODI
The next encounter in Sydney promises to be a test of India’s mental resilience.
The SCG pitch is expected to be slower, bringing Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav into play. However, to bounce back, India’s batters must find form quickly — especially the experienced trio of Rohit, Kohli, and Rahul.
For Australia, maintaining consistency will be the goal. With Hazlewood and Marsh firing, and Philippe finding rhythm at the top, they will enter the next match full of confidence.
The 1st ODI at Perth showcased a clear gap in adaptability between the two cricketing giants.
Australia’s discipline, planning, and composure proved superior to India’s fragmented batting and underwhelming execution.
As the visitors look to regroup, one question remains:
Can Team India recover their lost rhythm and keep the series alive or will Australia’s dominance continue unchecked in Sydney?
Final Score:
- India: 136/9 (26 overs)
- Australia: 131/3 (21.1 overs, DLS Method)
- Result: Australia won by 7 wickets
- Player of the Match: Josh Hazlewood
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