Tame start to the series as Australia trounce India in Perth
Australia defeated India by seven wickets in a rain-affected, 26-overs-a-side first ODI at Perth, marking a triumphant start to the series for the hosts. The match was shaped by repeated weather interruptions, incisive Australian fast bowling, and a calm chase led by captain Mitchell Marsh.
India, put in to bat, struggled to cope with the bounce and movement on offer. Rohit Sharma (8) and Virat Kohli (0) were sent back in the powerplay, with Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc exploiting the conditions perfectly. Shubman Gill (10) and Shreyas Iyer (11), entrusted with leadership and middle-order stability, also fell cheaply, leaving India 45 for 4 in the 14th over.
Steady rain repeatedly broke India’s rhythm, truncating the match first to 49, then 35, then 32, and finally 26 overs per side. Axar Patel held it together for a while, scoring 31 off 38 balls before being dismissed by Matthew Kuhnemann. KL Rahul (38 from 31) provided the only true resistance, showcasing aggression and shot selection under pressure. Nitish Reddy’s late flurry—an unbeaten 19 in just 11 balls, including two sixes—helped India to a fighting 136 for 9, with wickets falling regularly.
Rain meant Australia chased a revised target of 131 under the DLS method. Despite a wobble when Travis Head fell for 8, Marsh took charge. Australia’s chase progressed smoothly: a 34-run stand with Short who too departed for just eight, and a solid 55-run partnership with Josh Philippe (37 off 29 balls) solidified the platform. Marsh’s unbeaten 46 from 52 anchored the innings, supported by Matt Renshaw’s calm finishing (21* off 23). Australia completed the chase in 21.1 overs with 7 wickets in hand.
The Australian pacers choked the Indians—Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood conceded just 42 in 13 overs, ripping through India’s top order. Kuhnemann chipped in with two wickets late in the innings, and a runout to maintain pressure as India looked to set up a decent target.
Mitchell Marsh - Photo by Janelle St Pierre - CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images
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