Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s return to ODIs didn’t live up to the hype. The former got out for an eight-ball duck, and the latter scored 8 (14) as India suffered a crushing seven-wicket loss against Australia in a rain-marred game at the Perth Stadium on Sunday (October 19).
Skipper Mitchell Marsh masterfully led Australia’s chase to help the hosts take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. India, having been sent in to bat, lost Rohit early to a good length away nipper from Josh Hazlewood and Kohli soon after with a wide ball outside the off-stump that he edged to short third.
The visitors were 52 for four in 16.4 overs when the rain breaks started to get frustrating and managed 136 for nine in a contest that was reduced to 26 overs per side
due to the lost time. Axar Patel (31 off 38 balls) and KL Rahul (38 off 31) added momentum to India’s innings after the resumption, with debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy’s useful cameo of 19 not out off 11 balls.
Australia, given a revised target of 131 under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method, achieved it in 21.1 overs. Marsh remained unbeaten with 46 off 52 balls, emerging as the top scorer. Wicketkeeper Josh Philippe contributed a quick 37 from 29 balls, significantly turning the game in Australia’s favor.
Indian bowlers, short of a wicket-taker in Kuldeep Yadav due to the Gautam Gambhir-led coaching staff’s penchant for all-rounders, never got their bearings right. Arshdeep Singh struck out Travis Head early, and Axar Patel threatened to build some pressure by getting Matt Short out for eight runs. But they got no support afterward and even Washington Sundar’s dismissal of Philippe in the 16th over was too little, too late.
India vs Australia remaining schedule
This is almost certainly Kohli and Rohit’s last series in Australia. They no longer play T20Is and Tests, and there aren’t any ODIs scheduled again down under in the near future.
A failure in the first game builds pressure on them, considering how the team is looking to aggressively build towards the 2027 World Cup with younger and newer players. However, the duo has two more opportunities to make its mark and show that the legends, though closing on 40, still belong at the level.
India next play at Adelaide Oval, one of Kohli’s favorite grounds, on Thursday (October 23).
Full schedule:
October 19, Sunday: 1st ODI, India vs Australia, Perth Stadium, Perth – Australia won by 7 wkts (DLS)
October 23, Thursday: 2nd ODI, Australia vs India, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide – 9:00 AM IST
October 25, Saturday: 3rd ODI, Australia vs India, Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney – 9:00 AM IST
