Rohit and Kohli fail as Marsh’s power guides Australia to easy win

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s highly anticipated comeback ended in disappointment as India suffered a seven-wicket defeat to Australia in the rain-affected first ODI at Optus Stadium on Sunday. In a match reduced to 26 overs per side due to intermittent showers, India managed only 136 for 9, leaving Australia with a modest DLS target of 131, which the hosts chased comfortably in 21.1 overs.

Marsh leads Australia’s chase

Australia’s innings began on shaky ground as Travis Head was trapped early by Arshdeep Singh, slashing to Harshit Rana at deep third man. Matthew Short followed shortly after without making an impact. However, skipper Mitchell Marsh (46 not out, 52 balls) steadied the innings with a powerful display of batting, forming a key 55-run partnership with Josh Philippe (37, 29 balls).

The Australian pair took full advantage of loose deliveries from Arshdeep, Mohammad Siraj, and Harshit Rana, punishing anything overpitched or short. Marsh’s inside-out smash off Siraj and consistent sixes set the tone, while Philippe supported with a disciplined knock. Despite Philippe’s dismissal, Australia remained ahead of the DLS target and sealed the series-opening win, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.

Kohli, Rohit struggle in Rain-hampered innings

India’s innings suffered from constant rain interruptions and disciplined Australian bowling, except for KL Rahul, who top-scored with 38 from 31 balls. Rohit Sharma, playing his 500th ODI, walked into a rapturous reception alongside new captain Shubman Gill, but lasted only 14 balls. His elegant straight drive off Mitchell Starc was a brief highlight before Josh Hazlewood exploited a steep bounce to trap him LBW, with debutant Matthew Renshaw completing the catch at second slip.

Kohli entered amid loud cheers but failed to find form, scoring a duck off eight balls. Starc’s probing deliveries forced Kohli into a risky drive that edged to Cooper Connolly at backward point. It marked Kohli’s first duck in Australia and left questions about the veterans’ readiness for the rest of the series.

Meanwhile, Shubman Gill looked assured but fell in a casual attempt to flick Nathan Ellis, giving a catch to wicketkeeper Philippe. Vice-captain Shreyas Iyer also perished similarly after misreading a Hazlewood bouncer, leaving India at 45 for four in the 14th over.

Rahul and Axar Patel (31) stitched together a 39-run fifth-wicket partnership before Axar fell to spinner Matthew Kuhnemann. Rahul was the standout for India, handling bounce well and playing impressive drives and pulls. He later combined with Washington Sundar for a 30-run sixth-wicket stand, but with overs limited, India’s late acceleration could not save the innings.

Looking ahead

The defeat exposed India’s over-reliance on their senior stars and highlighted the need for better starts in the next ODIs at Adelaide and Sydney. Kohli and Rohit, in particular, will be under pressure to produce substantial innings to convince selectors of their long-term value.

For Australia, Marsh’s powerful display and disciplined bowling ensured a clinical start to the series, leaving India with plenty of work ahead in the remaining matches.

India 136/9 (26 overs)

KL Rahul 38, Axar Patel 31,Rohit Sharma 8, Virat Kohli 0

Extras 12 Fall of wickets: 1-8 Rohit Sharma, 2-12 Shubman Gill, 3-45 Shreyas Iyer, 4-45 Washington Sundar, 5-84 Axar Patel, 6-114 Washington Sundar, 7-120 Harshit Rana, 8-123 Arshdeep Singh, 9-132 Matthew Short

Australia 131/3 (21.1 overs, DLS target 131)

Mitchell Marsh 46* (52)Josh Philippe 37 (29)Travis Head 5, Matthew Short 0

Extras 3 Fall of wickets: 1-7 Travis Head, 2-14 Matthew Short, 3-69 Josh Philippe

Result: Australia won by 7 wickets