Rohit and Kohli struggle on comeback
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s return to international cricket ended in disappointment. Rohit scored a scratchy 8 before edging Hazlewood to the slips, while Kohli managed only an eight-ball duck.
Hazlewood made full use of the bounce, delivering a brilliant spell of 2 for 20 from seven overs, including 35 dot balls. Kohli, who has fond memories of the ground, was caught at backward point off a sharp delivery from Mitchell Starc.
As he walked back, some fans gave him a standing ovation, possibly marking his last appearance in Perth.
Rain disrupts India’s rhythm
The game began under overcast skies, and the damp conditions made batting difficult. India slipped to 45 for 4 after facing sharp new-ball spells, especially from Josh Hazlewood. His tight line and bounce exposed India’s top order.
Frequent rain delays didn’t help either. It was the first time since the stadium opened in 2018 that the covers were used, disrupting India’s momentum throughout the innings.
Gill’s debut as captain falls flat
Expectations were high from Shubman Gill after his impressive Test captaincy debut. He began with a stylish boundary but soon fell for 10, flicking down the leg side to give Nathan Ellis a wicket with his first ball.
India’s hopes faded quickly as Shreyas Iyer gloved a short ball to wicketkeeper Josh Philippe, leaving the team reeling at 45 for 4.
Axar Patel shines with bat and ball
Axar Patel offered some resistance with both bat and ball. He scored briskly before holing out to Matt Kuhnemann, who claimed his first wicket on home soil. Axar later bowled economically and dismissed Matt Short for 8, standing out among Indian players.
KL Rahul hit consecutive sixes but couldn’t extend the innings. Debutant Nitish Reddy provided a late spark, yet India’s total remained too low to defend.
Marsh stays calm in tricky chase
Chasing a modest target, Australia started carefully. Travis Head departed early, caught off Arshdeep Singh, but Marsh adjusted his game smartly. After a slow start, he struck a big six off Arshdeep to settle in.
He later accelerated with confident strokes and handled the short-pitched bowling well, even after taking a hit on the helmet from Mohammed Siraj.
Josh Philippe also impressed with a quick 37 from 29 balls in his ODI comeback, supporting Marsh in sealing the chase comfortably.
Brief Scorecard
Australia’s disciplined bowling, sharp fielding, and composed batting made the difference. For India, constant rain and a shaky top order ruined their rhythm. It was a disappointing start to their ODI campaign since winning the Champions Trophy in March. Stay tuned with JUSZNEWS for regular updates!