IND Vs AUS: Australia Dominate As India Struggle In First ODI At Perth

Overview

India's inaugural ODI against Australia in Perth came to an end on a disappointing note for Team India. This match saw the return of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to international cricket after a gap of seven months and Shubman Gill making his debut as ODI captain. But the Indian batting fell apart, and Australia pipped India 1-0 in the three-match series, winning a rain-hit encounter.

India's Batting Collapse

India began badly when they were invited to bat first on a Perth bouncy track. The match was cut short to 26 overs per team because of rain interference.

India were dismissed for 136/9.
KL Rahul made 38 from 31 balls with 2 fours and 2 sixes.
Axar Patel scored 31 from 38 balls with 3 boundaries.
Rohit Sharma (8) and Virat Kohli (0) did not score big.

Australia's pace bowling was incisive. Josh Hazlewood (2/20), Spencer Owen (2/20), Matthew Kuneman (2/26), and Mitchell Starc (1/22) were evenly distributed the wickets.

Based on the Duckworth-Lewis calculation, Australia's target was adjusted to 131 runs.

Australia's Chase

Australia easily chased down the target in 21.1 overs, remaining at 131/3.

Mitchell Marsh paced the chase with 46 off 52 balls*, scoring 2 fours and 3 sixes.

Josh Philippe provided support with 37 off 29 balls.

Matt Renshaw was unbeaten on 21.

Indian bowlers Arshdeep Singh, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar each picked a wicket. India could not keep pressure despite initial successes.

Performance Analysis

India's vulnerability to bouncy tracks continued. The top order found movement and speed tough to handle.

Hazlewood got Rohit Sharma and Shreyas Iyer out.
Starc got Virat Kohli early, his first ODI duck in Australia.
Gill was caught behind for 10, and India were 25/3.

Rain delays again interrupted India's batting pattern. The innings was interrupted six times by showers.

KL Rahul and Axar Patel played key rescue acts, contributing vital runs during the middle overs. Nitish Kumar Reddy (19 off 11 balls)*'s late hitting assisted India past 130. Hazlewood bowled 35 dot balls in his seven-over stint, demonstrating fine control.

Australia's Captain Leads by Example

Mitchell Marsh conducted the chase with confidence.

In spite of initial losses of Travis Head (8) and Matt Short (8), Marsh established associations with Philippe and Renshaw.
The 55-run third-wicket partnership between Marsh and Philippe arranged for the victory.
Renshaw, who was coming back to ODIs after nine years since his debut Test match, remained till the end with Marsh.

Stat Highlights

Virat Kohli’s ODI Ducks: This was his 18th ODI duck, placing him fourth among Indian batsmen with the most ducks, behind Sachin Tendulkar (20) and Javagal Srinath (19).

India’s Fall of Wickets: 1-13, 2-21, 3-25, 4-45, 5-84, 6-115, 7-121, 8-123, 9-124.

Rain Interruptions: Play was stopped six times, shortening India’s innings significantly.