Australia won the first ODI against India by 7 wickets at Perth Stadium on October 19, 2025, in a match heavily affected by rain. The persistent rain shortened the match to 26 overs per side, and India’s batting struggled under the bouncy conditions. Josh Hazlewood bowled brilliantly with figures of 2 for 20 from 7 overs, bowling 35 dot balls. Rohit Sharma made just 8 runs while Virat Kohli fell for an eight-ball duck. KL Rahul’s quick 38 off 31 balls helped India reach 136/9, but Australia chased down the DLS-adjusted target of 131 with ease, losing only 3 wickets in 21.1 overs.
Sources: ESPNcricinfo (https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/india-in-australia-2025-26-1478882/australia-vs-india-1st-odi-1478904/match-report)
Scorecard
| Team | Score | Overs | Wickets | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | 136/9 | 26 | 9 | Lost by 7 wickets |
| Australia | 131/3 | 21.1 | 3 | Won (DLS method) |
Match Details: Rain-shortened match, DLS target: 131 runs in 26 overs
Sources: ESPNcricinfo Full Scorecard (https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/india-in-australia-2025-26-1478882/australia-vs-india-1st-odi-1478904/full-scorecard), Zee News (https://zeenews.india.com/)
Top Performers
| Player | Team | Role | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Josh Hazlewood | Australia | Bowler | 2/20 in 7 overs (35 dot balls) |
| KL Rahul | India | Batsman | 38 runs off 31 balls (2 fours, 2 sixes) |
| Mitchell Marsh | Australia | Captain/Batsman | Led the chase successfully [UNVERIFIED: exact score] |
| Mitchell Starc | Australia | Bowler | 1/22 in 6 overs (Kohli’s wicket) |
| Nitish Reddy | India | All-rounder | 19* off 11 balls on ODI debut (2 sixes) |
Sources: ESPNcricinfo Match Report, Zee News Live Updates
Key Moments
- Early Collapse: India lost their top three batsmen cheaply – Rohit Sharma fell for 8 when caught at second slip off Hazlewood, Virat Kohli was dismissed for a duck by Mitchell Starc with Cooper Connolly taking a diving catch at backward point, and Shubman Gill was caught down the leg side off Nathan Ellis for 10
- Multiple Rain Breaks: The match saw numerous rain delays, and for the first time since 1983, an ODI in Perth was shortened due to rain
- Middle-Order Recovery: Axar Patel and KL Rahul built momentum after resumption following rain delays, with the pro-India crowd coming alive during their partnership
- Late Flourish: Debutant Nitish Reddy finished with an unbeaten 19 off 11 balls, including two sixes in the final overs
- Australia’s Steady Chase: Captain Mitchell Marsh led the chase from the front, and Australia comfortably reached the target in 21.1 overs
Match Analysis
The opening ODI at Perth Stadium was a frustrating affair for cricket fans, with rain playing spoilsport throughout the day. Australia captain Mitchell Marsh had no hesitation to bowl first despite very little grass on the surface, with menacing clouds forming above.
India’s batting never gained momentum due to the constant interruptions. The Australian pace trio troubled Indian batsmen with back-of-a-length bowling, and left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann also claimed two wickets. The return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to ODI cricket ended in disappointment, with both veterans failing to make an impact.
Shreyas Iyer was undone by a searing short delivery from Hazlewood, with Josh Philippe showcasing his athleticism after taking the gloves for the first time in ODIs in four years. Despite KL Rahul’s aggressive knock and Nitish Reddy’s promising debut cameo, India’s total proved insufficient on a challenging surface.
Australia’s chase was professional and measured. While losing Travis Head early and Matthew Short cheaply, the home team never looked troubled. The DLS-adjusted target of 131 was well within reach, and Mitchell Marsh’s leadership ensured there were no panic moments.
What’s Next
The second ODI of the three-match series will be played in Adelaide on October 23, 2025. India will need to regroup quickly and address their top-order concerns. With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli both failing in Perth, the pressure will be on them to deliver in Adelaide.
For Australia, this victory provides momentum as they look to win the series. Mitchell Owen and Matt Renshaw made their ODI debuts for Australia alongside India’s Nitish Kumar Reddy, and the home team will be pleased with their overall performance despite the rain disruptions.
The weather forecast for Adelaide will be crucial, as both teams will hope for uninterrupted cricket to showcase their full potential. India’s bowling attack, led by Mohammed Siraj in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, will need to be more effective if they are to level the series.