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Australia produced a commanding performance to outplay India by seven wickets in the first ODI of the three-match series at the Optus Stadium in Perth on Sunday. The match, which was marred by multiple rain interruptions, saw the hosts take full advantage of the conditions after opting to bowl first. With this win, the Mitchell Marsh-led side went 1-0 up in the series.
India, led by Shubman Gill, struggled throughout the game as the returning veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli failed to fire. The visitors were bowled out for 136/9 in 26 overs before the DLS target was revised to 131 runs for Australia, who chased it down with 29 balls to spare.
Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc rattle India’s top order
Winning the toss, Australia opted to field on a lively Perth surface, and their pacers made early inroads. Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc bowled with impeccable accuracy and bounce, dismantling India’s top order. Rohit (8) and Kohli (0) fell cheaply to Hazlewood and Starc respectively, while skipper Gill (10) was caught behind off Nathan Ellis.
By the ninth over, India were reeling at 25/3, struggling to adapt to the pace and bounce of the Optus deck. Hazlewood, who completed his full quota of overs in one spell, returned with figures of 7-2-20-2. He was well-supported by Starc (1/22) and all-rounder Mitchell Owen (2/20), who cleaned up the lower order efficiently.
KL Rahul and Axar Patel offer some resistance
Amid the collapse, KL Rahul (38 off 31) and Axar Patel (31 off 38) tried to rebuild the innings. The duo added a crucial 53-run stand for the fifth wicket, playing sensibly before rain halted play multiple times. Nitish Kumar Reddy’s late cameo (19 off 11) with two sixes helped India reach 136/9 in the allotted 26 overs. However, the stop-start nature of the game never allowed India to find any rhythm with the bat.
For Australia, spinners Matthew Kuhnemann (2/26) and Owen did well to maintain control through the middle overs, ensuring India didn’t post a competitive total.
Mitchell Marsh leads from the front in comfortable chase
Chasing a revised DLS target of 131, Australia began briskly with Travis Head striking two early boundaries before being dismissed by Arshdeep Singh for 8. Matthew Short too departed early, but skipper Mitchell Marsh anchored the innings with an unbeaten 46 off 52 balls, including three sixes and two fours.
Josh Philippe (37 off 29) played a fluent knock, adding 55 runs with Marsh for the third wicket. Matt Renshaw (21 not out) chipped in with a steady hand to guide Australia home in 21.1 overs.
Here’s how fans reacted:
Australia claim the ODI series opener against India with their all-round brilliance in Perth 👊 📝:
— ICC (@ICC)
Australia take a 1-0 lead in their ODI series against India, winning by 7 wickets (DLS) after a rain-interrupted day 🏏 🇮🇳
— The Bharat Army (@thebharatarmy)
Australia win the 1st ODI by 7 wickets (DLS method). will look to bounce back in the next match.
Scorecard ▶
— BCCI (@BCCI)
Australia go 1-0 up in the 3-match series 🙌
— betvisa68.com (@CricketTimesHQ)
Aussies win the first ODI 🔥🔥🔥 Spectacular Captain's knock by Mitchell Marsh and superb performances by Josh Phillipe, Hazelwood, Starc and Ellis 🥳
At the end, a team in "big trouble" due to injuries, was good enough to beat hapless India 😂
— Zan (@RakitaMode)
Mitchell Marsh is in the form of his life
— D-PAC (@deepu_speaks)
Player of the Match Australia captain Mitchell Marsh…. that's 3 back to back player of the match awards for him….
It's Australia first ODI win at Optus Stadium, Perth..
Australia best captain since Michael Clarke— JSK (@imjsk27)
Mitchell Marsh is in great white ball form and should still be nowhere near the red ball team. Red ball is completely different to white ball. He has gained momentum only after leaving red ball. If he returns back every chance he will struggle and affect his white ball form.
— Troll cricket unlimitedd (@TUnlimitedd)
Australia won 1st ODI by 7 Wickets (DLS METHOD). Superb Knock Mitchell Marsh 46*(52) and Josh Phillippe 37(29). Excellent Performance on Debut M Renshaw [3 Catches & 21*(24)].
— JaayShaan (VaidhyaJayaShankar) (@JaayShaan)
Australia registered a comfortable 7-wicket win in the series opener against India. Mitchell Marsh played a captain's knock of 46 in 52 balls remaining unbeaten after the bowlers set up the tone of the rain-hit fixture at Perth Stadium.
— Tweet Tonic 🇮🇳 (@Gujarat1999)
Mitchell marsh in his last 5 white ball innings
100
85
9*
103*
46 *— SARCASTICDESI 🇮🇳 (@Sach_in_Rajput_)
Australia beat India by 7 wickets (DLS Method) at the Optus Stadium, Perth. 🏏
– Captain Mitchell Marsh led the chase with an unbeaten 46* (52)! 💪🇦🇺
— Akaran.A (@Akaran_1)
CAPTAIN MARSH leads the way! 🇦🇺
An unhurried, dominant knock from Mitchell Marsh steers Australia to a convincing 7-wicket victory in the rain-affected 1st ODI. He was the difference in the chase, ensuring the Aussies take the 1-0 series lead.
Top form!
— Boundary Bro (@BoundaryBro)
India 🇮🇳 vs Australia 🇦🇺:
Australia beat India by 7 wickets. Mitchell Marsh scored 46 runs. Australia leads the series 1-0— Shivansh rajpal (@RajpalShiv46534)
Captain Mitchell Marsh led from the front, staying till the end and scoring 46 off 52 balls to help his team win the match against a white-ball powerhouse like India🔥
Such a classy man!!
— Ishan's🤫🧘🧡 (@IshanWK32)
Also WATCH: Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill share popcorn bucket during rain break in Perth ODI – AUS vs IND