Sydney: India’s much-anticipated return to Australian soil got off to a shaky start as the team lost two of its most celebrated batsmen, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, in the early overs of the first ODI at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Electing to bat after losing the toss, India found itself reeling at 25 for two after seven overs, leaving captain Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer to steady the innings.
Rohit Sharma, returning after a long absence, managed only eight runs off 14 balls, including a solitary boundary, before falling to Pat Cummins’ pace partner, Josh Hazlewood. He was caught at slip by Matt Renshaw in a well-executed delivery that exposed the Indian opener’s vulnerabilities early in the innings. Virat Kohli, playing his first ODI in Australia after an extended hiatus, failed to get off the mark, departing for a duck after nine balls. Cooper Connolly claimed the catch off Mitchell Starc’s searing pace, leaving India in a precarious position.
At the crease, Shubman Gill is holding firm with 10 runs, while Shreyas Iyer has contributed a modest two runs, attempting to rebuild the innings. The debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy was also part of the playing XI, marking his first ODI appearance, but the spotlight firmly remained on the early departures of India’s stalwarts.
This match also marks the beginning of India’s first ODI series in Australia under young captain Shubman Gill. India has struggled on Australian soil in limited-overs cricket, failing to secure a series victory since the 2015 ODI World Cup and losing all three subsequent ODI series. The return of Rohit and Kohli, who have historically been prolific in Australia, was expected to inspire confidence, but their early dismissals have put immediate pressure on the rest of the batting lineup.
Australia, despite missing key players including Pat Cummins, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, and Adam Zampa due to injuries, managed to strike crucial blows in the opening overs. The absence of these frontline players might have been seen as an advantage for India, but early breakthroughs have kept Australia in control.
India’s innings now hinges on Gill and Iyer to forge a partnership and stabilize the scoreboard. Fans and cricket analysts alike will be watching closely to see if the young captain can navigate this early crisis and give India a fighting chance in the series opener.