Perth: The opening match of the India-Australia ODI series is facing severe disruptions due to persistent rain in Perth. The weather has forced multiple stoppages, leading to a reduction in overs and creating a challenging scenario for the Indian batting lineup. Australia, having won the toss and elected to field, currently hold a strategic advantage.
India, sent into bat after losing the toss, found themselves in trouble early. By the ninth over, the team was reeling at 25 for 3 when rain interrupted play for the first time. Upon resumption, the match was recalibrated to 49 overs per side, but rain struck again after 11.5 overs. At that point, India was struggling at 37 for 3.
Rohit Sharma (8), Virat Kohli (0), and Shubman Gill (10) fell cheaply, leaving the middle order under pressure. At the crease, Axar Patel had scored 7 and Shreyas Iyer 6 runs when the second stoppage occurred. Australian pacers Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Nathan Ellis had claimed one wicket each, maintaining tight control over India’s innings.
The match saw the ODI debut of all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, while Washington Sundar replaced Kuldeep Yadav in the playing XI. India’s pace attack featured Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, and Arshdeep Singh, aiming to counter Australia’s formidable batting lineup. Shubman Gill captained the Indian team in Rohit Sharma’s absence, highlighting India’s flexible leadership approach.
Australia’s playing XI, led by captain Mitchell Marsh, includes Travis Head, Matthew Short, Josh Phillip, Matt Renshaw, Cooper Connolly, Mitchell Owen, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Ellis, Matthew Kunemann, and Josh Hazlewood. Electing to field first, Australia exploited early swing and bounce to dismantle India’s top order before the rain interruptions, positioning themselves well for a potential victory in a rain-shortened contest.
The match remains under the cloud of uncertain weather. Overs are likely to be reduced further, and the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method may come into play to determine the final target if rain persists. India’s batsmen will need to rebuild cautiously under pressure, while Australia’s bowlers will look to exploit the shortened format to maintain their advantage.
With rain continuing to disrupt play, the opening ODI promises a tense and unpredictable contest, highlighting the challenges of international cricket in weather-affected conditions.