Ground staff at Optus Stadium in Perth, who seldom need to use the covers during a match, found themselves unusually busy during the Australia–India ODI series opener. Persistent showers forced four separate interruptions throughout the day, disrupting the contest. Despite the gloomy weather, Australia produced a clinical bowling performance, reducing India to 136 for 9 in just 26 overs. Under the DLS method, their chase was adjusted to 131 runs, which they achieved comfortably to claim their first-ever ODI victory at the venue and take an early 1-0 lead in the series.
India's batting order collapses as rain interrupts the match
Shubman Gill’s recent defeat placed him alongside his idol Virat Kohli as the only Indian captains to lose their first matches in all three formats. Just like his start in Test captaincy at Leeds, Gill’s ODI captaincy began with a lost toss, forcing India to bat first under gloomy conditions on a pitch offering sharp bounce. Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc were ruthless from the outset, making early inroads. Rohit Sharma, struggling with Hazlewood’s steep deliveries, edged one to slip, and Kohli—welcomed by a warm Perth crowd—was soon trapped by Starc, falling for his first ODI duck in Australia. Gill followed shortly after, caught behind off Nathan Ellis, leaving India reeling at 25 for 3 before rain interrupted play.
After a two-hour rain break, the match was cut to 35 overs per side, and India came back with intent. Shreyas Iyer launched the first ball post-resumption for a boundary, but Hazlewood quickly removed him again, his seventh wicket of Iyer in 13 games across formats. Further rain delays shortened the match to 26 overs. In this condensed contest, Axar Patel played aggressively against debutant Mitchell Owen, hitting two boundaries, while KL Rahul countered with quick runs off Ellis, stabilizing India’s innings amid the disruptions.
Axar’s brisk 31 ended with a miscued slog sweep to long-on, but Rahul continued his charge, smashing two sixes off Matthew Short before falling for 38 off 31 deliveries to Owen. Debutant Nitish Reddy brought some late fireworks with a couple of sixes, lifting India’s total to 136. Despite the late surge, scoring 84 runs in just over nine overs after the final rain break, India’s innings was largely forgettable, underlining the challenge posed by Australia’s potent bowling attack.
Easy chase for Australia's batting order
Australia’s revised chase of 131 started shakily when Arshdeep Singh dismissed Travis Head—India’s longtime nemesis—with a smartly set trap at square third man. However, skipper Mitchell Marsh quickly counterattacked, smashing Arshdeep for a six before sending two more deliveries from Mohammed Siraj and Harshit Rana sailing over the ropes.
Sensing the momentum shift, Shubman Gill brought spin into play early, and Axar Patel struck by dismissing Matthew Short at short third man. Yet, by that stage, Australia had already raced to 55 runs within the first 10 overs. Marsh anchored the innings unbeaten on 46, while Josh Philippe chipped in with a lively 37, sealing the win and leaving India to endure a gloomy night in Perth.
Brief scores:India 136/9 in 26 overs (KL Rahul 38, Axar Patel 31; Josh Hazlewood 2-20, Matthew Kuhnemann 2-26) lost to Australia 131/3 in 21.1 overs (Mitchell Marsh 46*; Axar Patel 1-19) by seven wickets (via DLS method)