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 Gillstruggled 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.

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