Ahmedabad: Indian cricket captain Shubman Gill candidly addressed the reasons behind India’s seven-wicket loss to Australia in the first ODI of the series, attributing the defeat to early setbacks in the power play and weather interruptions that disrupted the team’s rhythm.
“Losing three wickets in the power play was a big setback for us,” Gill said after the match. “The occasional rain interruptions also broke the flow of the game, which made it difficult to build momentum. However, we have learned many lessons, and we aim to come back stronger in the second match.”
Chasing a modest target after India batted first, the home side was restricted to 136 for 9 in a rain-shortened 26-over match. KL Rahul led the charge with a quickfire 38 off 31 balls, while Axar Patel contributed a patient 31 off 38 deliveries to help India reach a defendable total. Despite their efforts, the team struggled to stabilize after the early wickets fell, leaving Australia in a commanding position.
Australia’s target was adjusted to 131 runs in 26 overs under the Duckworth-Lewis method. The visitors chased down the total with ease, scoring 132 for 3 in just 21.1 overs. Mitchell Marsh top-scored with 46, supported by Josh Phillip’s 37 and Matt Renshaw’s 21, ensuring Australia’s comfortable seven-wicket victory.
Gill emphasized that while the defeat was disappointing, it offered valuable insights into the team’s performance under pressure. “It’s important to focus on the positives and work on our execution in the power play,” he said. “We will take these learnings into the next match and aim for a strong comeback.”
The second ODI promises a high-stakes contest as India seeks to bounce back and regain momentum in the series, with fans hoping for a more composed performance at the top of the innings and improved consistency in the batting and bowling departments.