The much-anticipated opening clash of the India vs Australia ODI series in Perth turned into a damp squib for the visitors, as the IND vs AUS opener ended in a seven-wicket rout for the hosts. Rain delays, early collapses, and a familiar failure from the top order left India reeling—despite a brief late resistance .
IND vs AUS: A Stop-Start Disaster for India
Held at the Optus Stadium in Perth on October 19, 2025, the first ODI was plagued by multiple rain interruptions that stretched the match into a disjointed, nearly 12-hour affair. But weather wasn’t India’s only problem.
Winning the toss and electing to bat, India’s innings never found rhythm. Openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill fell cheaply, and the much-relied-upon duo of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli—often dubbed the backbone of India’s batting—once again failed to deliver under pressure.
Rohit-Kohli Partnership Flops Again
With India reeling at 21 for 2 in the fifth over, hopes rested on Kohli to anchor the innings. But he managed just 18 runs before edging behind off Pat Cummins. Rohit, looking tentative against the short ball, departed for a scratchy 12.
This marked yet another instance where the storied RO-KO combo—once feared by bowlers worldwide—crumbled in Australian conditions. Since the 2023 World Cup, the pair has averaged under 25 in ODIs outside Asia.
Australia’s Clinical Chase
India eventually limped to 212 all out in 43.2 rain-affected overs, thanks largely to a gritty 67 from Shreyas Iyer and a late 41 from KL Rahul. But the total never looked competitive on a true Perth pitch.
Australia’s chase was methodical. Openers Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh put on 98 for the first wicket, and even after Head’s dismissal, Steve Smith (52*) and Marnus Labuschagne guided the hosts home with 17.3 overs to spare.
Key Stats from the IND vs AUS Opener
| Team | Total | Top Scorer | Best Bowler |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | 212 all out (43.2 overs) | Shreyas Iyer (67) | Jasprit Bumrah (1/34) |
| Australia | 213/3 (32.3 overs) | Travis Head (74) | Pat Cummins (3/41) |
What Went Wrong for India?
Beyond the RO-KO collapse, India’s middle order lacked intent early on. The decision to promote Suryakumar Yadav to No. 4 backfired as he fell for 9. The batting lineup appeared hesitant, possibly unsettled by the stop-start nature of the game.
On the bowling front, India’s pacers struggled to maintain consistent lines under overcast Perth skies. Only Jasprit Bumrah looked threatening, while spinners were rendered ineffective on a flat track.
Series Outlook After IND vs AUS Game 1
With Australia taking a 1-0 lead, pressure mounts on India ahead of the second ODI in Adelaide. Team management may consider reshuffling the top order or bringing in fresh legs—possibly Ishan Kishan or Ruturaj Gaikwad—to counter Australia’s aggressive pace attack.
For now, the narrative remains grim: in high-stakes overseas ODIs, India’s veteran core is showing signs of fragility.