IND VS AUS FIRST ODI, Highlights VIRAT KOHLI

Everyone is talking about VIRAT KOHLI

1st One Day International (ODI) between India and Australia, played on October 19, 2025, at Optus Stadium in Perth.

Australia secured a convincing seven-wicket victory in a rain-curtailed match.

India’s innings

Australia won the toss and elected to field, putting India in to bat on a lively Perth pitch. The Indian top order struggled against a fiery pace attack led by Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc. Rohit Sharma, making his much-anticipated return after a seven-month break since the 2025 Champions Trophy, edged a delivery from Hazlewood to second slip, falling cheaply for 8 runs. His fellow veteran, Virat Kohli, also returning to international cricket after the Champions Trophy, endured a forgettable outing, bagging a duck, his first in ODIs on Australian soil. New ODI captain Shubman Gill’s debut at the helm was also brief, as he was caught down the leg side for 10 runs, according to ESPN India. These early breakthroughs left India reeling at 25/3 within the first nine overs.

The Indian innings was further disrupted by persistent rain interruptions, preventing any momentum from being built. The match was initially reduced to 49 overs per side, then to 35 overs, and finally settled at 26 overs per side after four separate rain delays. Amidst the chaos, the left-right combination of KL Rahul and Axar Patel provided some stability for India. Rahul top-scored for India with 38 runs off 31 balls, including two boundaries and two maximums, while Axar contributed 31 runs off 38 deliveries with three boundaries. The pair stitched together a crucial 39-run partnership, preventing a complete collapse. Debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy chipped in with an unbeaten cameo, smashing two sixes and remaining not out on 19 runs from 11 balls, helping India reach a total of 136/9 in their allotted 26 overs.

For Australia, the pace attack was well supported by the spinners, particularly in the rain-affected conditions. Josh Hazlewood was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with impressive figures of 2 wickets for 20 runs from his seven overs, including two maiden overs, showcasing his precision and ability to extract bounce. Matthew Kuhnemann and debutant Mitchell Owen also picked up two wickets each, with Owen claiming the key wicket of KL Rahul, notes the Hindustan Times. Mitchell Starc and Nathan Ellis chipped in with one wicket each, ensuring India never gained control of the innings.

Australia’s innings

Australia were set a revised target of 131 runs to win in 26 overs under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method. Openers Travis Head and captain Mitchell Marsh began the chase with confidence. Head quickly found the boundary rope with a couple of fours in the first over from Mohammed Siraj, demonstrating his aggressive intent. However, his innings was short-lived as Arshdeep Singh, in his first over, dismissed him with a hint of outswing, caught by Harshit Rana at deep third man.

Despite the early wicket, Australia continued to score at a healthy rate. Marsh, leading from the front, played a captain’s knock, anchoring the chase with a patient yet attacking unbeaten 46 runs off 52 deliveries, including two fours and three towering sixes. He was well-supported by Josh Philippe, who chipped in with a brisk 37 runs off 29 balls, featuring three fours and two sixes. The duo built a strong partnership, steering Australia towards the target.

Washington Sundar provided a brief moment of hope for India, picking up the wicket of Josh Philippe, who mistimed a pull shot and was caught at deep square leg. However, by then, Australia were well in control of the chase, needing just 31 runs from 60 balls at the fall of Philippe’s wicket. Debutant Matt Renshaw joined Marsh and played a useful cameo, remaining unbeaten on 21 runs off 24 deliveries, including a four and a six. Australia comfortably reached the target in 21.1 overs, securing a seven-wicket victory with 29 balls to spare.

Match summary

Australia’s victory was a result of a strong all-round performance. Their bowlers, particularly Hazlewood, Starc, Owen, and Kuhnemann, capitalized on the favourable conditions and India’s struggles with the new ball. In the chase, Mitchell Marsh led from the front, playing a sensible yet attacking innings to guide his team home. The loss marked India’s first ODI defeat of 2025, according to CricTracker. The series now moves to Adelaide for the second ODI on October 23.

Scorecard

India Innings (26 Overs, Reduced due to rain)

Total: 136/9 (26 Overs, RR: 5.23)

Australia Bowling

Australia Innings (Target 131 runs in 26 Overs)

Extras: 11 (lb 3, w 8)

Total: 131/3 (21.1 Overs, RR: 6.18)

India Bowling

Player of the Match: Mitchell Marsh