Rain may have stopped play multiple times at Optus Stadium, but it couldn’t stop Australia’s fast bowlers from delivering a ruthless display in the first ODI against India. Under overcast skies and lively pitch conditions, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc unleashed relentless pace and bounce to skittle India for 136/9 in 26 overs, before Australia comfortably chased down a DLS target of 131, sealing a seven-wicket win and a 1-0 series lead.
The defeat marked a tough start for Shubman Gill, who joined his idol Virat Kohli as the only two Indian captains to lose their first games in all three formats. Losing the toss, Gill found his side batting first on a pitch tailor-made for fast bowling.
Hazlewood struck early, removing Rohit Sharma with a rising delivery that caught the edge to slip. Soon after, Starc dismissed Kohli for a duck — his first in ODIs in Australia — with a sharp delivery outside off stump. Gill’s own stay was brief, gloving behind off Nathan Ellis to leave India tottering at 25 for 3 before rain halted play.
After two long delays, the game was reduced to 35 overs a side, and then again to 26 overs after more showers. India’s middle order tried to counterattack — Axar Patel (31) and KL Rahul (38 off 31) added urgency after the final break, striking freely against debutant Mitchell Owen and Matthew Short. Debutant Nitish Reddy added late fireworks with a pair of sixes, helping India score 84 runs in just over nine overs before the innings ended.
Chasing a revised target of 131, Australia lost Travis Head early to Arshdeep Singh, but Mitchell Marsh (46)* powered the reply with dominant strokeplay, supported by Josh Philippe (37). Despite Axar Patel’s breakthrough, the result was never in doubt as the hosts cruised to victory in 21.1 overs.
This was Australia’s first ODI win at Optus Stadium, setting the tone for the series. For India, questions remain over their balance in pace-friendly conditions — and how quickly their senior players can adjust ahead of the next clash.
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