Australia vs India, 1st ODI match report: Clinical Aussies end India's winning streak in rain-marred clash at Perth

The opening game of the three-match ODI series between Australia and India ended as a one-sided encounter. Opting to bowl, the hosts' seam attack made optimal use of overcast conditions and a lively surface to restrict India to a paltry total of 136 in a 26-overs-a-side game. Then, the Aussie batters showed good intent and peeled off the chase comfortably with seven wickets and 29 balls to spare. The loss put an end to India's eight-match winning streak in ODIs.

 

There as immense hype around the series opener, given that it was the first international game for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli since March 2025. All that buzz, however, quickly evaporated as India found themselves at 45/4 within the first hour of play. Rohit fell to Hazlewood for a 14-ball 8 while Kohli perished for a duck against Mitchell Starc.

 

There was enough movement upfront and India's batters weren't able to cope with the challenge. Shubman Gill (10) couldn't click on ODI captaincy debut while his deputy Shreyas Iyer (11) also departed cheaply. Axar Patel (31) and KL Rahul (38) repaired the innings on either side of a lengthy rain break which reduced the innings to 26-overs-a-side.

 

Axar and Rahul mixed bravado with good running between the wickets to allow some respectability to the innings. Australia, though, kept chipping away after breaking the stand and prevented the visitors from getting a strong finish. Nitish Reddy (19*) on ODI debut struck a couple of big blowss sbut 136 was never going to threaten Australia.

 

Captain Mitchell Marsh (46*), Josh Philippe (37) and Matt Renshaw (21*) controlled the chase with elan, not giving India even a sniff of victory as the game was done and dusted comfortably. India were guilty of not competing well enough with the bat although the toss also was a massive factor in this game. Conditions did appear to get better as it historically does in Perth against the softer ball.

 

The second match of the series will be played at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday (October 23).

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