The opening ODI between India and Australia at Perth’s Optus Stadium turned into a tough outing for the visitors, as Australia’s fast bowlers and the weather both made life difficult for the Indian side.
After winning the toss, Australia chose to bowl first under cloudy skies — a decision that paid off almost immediately. India’s top order fell apart in the face of sharp pace and swing, with Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shubman Gill all departing inside the first powerplay. Their early dismissals left India reeling and struggling to find momentum.
Josh Hazlewood was the pick of the bowlers, striking key blows to remove Rohit Sharma and Shreyas Iyer, while Mitchell Starc sent Kohli back for a rare duck. Nathan Ellis also made an instant impact by dismissing Gill with his very first delivery.
Frequent rain interruptions added to India’s woes, reducing the match to 26 overs per side and disrupting any rhythm the batters tried to build. KL Rahul and Axar Patel steadied things briefly in the middle, with Axar scoring a fighting 31 runs before falling to the Australian attack. Rahul held firm at one end, trying to salvage the innings, but wickets kept tumbling around him.
By the time the innings ended, India had managed just 136 runs for the loss of nine wickets in their allotted 26 overs — a modest total that leaves Australia in control heading into the chase.