Australia Crush India in Rain-Marred Perth ODI as Gill’s Captaincy Debut Ends in Defeat
Mumbai: India’s return to ODI cricket after their Champions Trophy triumph ended on a disappointing note, as Australia thrashed the visitors by seven wickets in a rain-affected series opener at Optus Stadium, Perth on Saturday. The match, reduced to 26 overs per side due to multiple rain interruptions, saw Australia chase down a revised target of 131 in just 21.1 overs, handing Shubman Gill a losing start in his first game as India’s ODI captain.
For Australia, skipper Mitchell Marsh led from the front with an unbeaten 46, guiding his side to a comfortable win — their first ODI victory at the Optus Stadium after previous defeats to England, South Africa, and Pakistan.
Rusty Return for Rohit and Kohli
Veteran stars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli looked visibly rusty after returning to international cricket following a four-month break. Rohit, playing as a non-captain in ODIs for the first time in over four years, managed just 8 off 14 balls before edging a rising delivery from Josh Hazlewood to the slips. Kohli, meanwhile, fell for a seven-ball duck, once again undone by deliveries in the corridor outside off stump — a weakness exposed during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy earlier this year.
India’s batters struggled to adapt to the extra bounce and pace of the Perth surface, compounded by limited practice time — just three days of training after shifting from the slower pitches of the UAE and West Indies. The Australian quicks, particularly Mitchell Starc and Hazlewood, exploited the conditions superbly, shortening their lengths and forcing errors from India’s top order.
Rain Adds to India’s Woes
Persistent rain disrupted India’s batting rhythm, with players repeatedly moving in and out of the dressing room. The interruptions also led to controversy around the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method, as the revised target for Australia (131) was lower than India’s total (135). Despite the debate, the hosts looked dominant from start to finish.
India’s Struggles Continue
The loss snapped India’s eight-match ODI winning streak and raised questions about their preparation and transition under Gill’s captaincy. Returning to the 50-over format after months, the side appeared undercooked and out of sync, failing to match Australia’s intensity and adaptability.
India will look to bounce back in the second ODI, but for now, the focus remains on rediscovering rhythm — especially for stalwarts Rohit and Kohli, whose early dismissals set the tone for a forgettable outing in Perth.
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