Perth: The much-anticipated return of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma was brief and disappointing. Left waiting in the rain, India struggled in their first ODI against Australia, finishing with a low score of 136 for nine in a match reduced to 26 overs.
The weather’s impact on the game was clear. Australia chose to bowl first under gloomy skies, and the pitch at Optus Stadium offered extra bounce, making things challenging for the Indian batsmen. Rohit Sharma, welcomed by cheers, faced just 14 balls before being dismissed. He hit a beautiful straight drive off Mitchell Starc but soon fell to Josh Hazlewood’s sharp delivery, edging the ball to debutant Matthew Renshaw.
Kohli’s entry was met with even louder applause, but he too quickly faltered, falling for his first duck in Australia. A loose shot outside off-stump led to his dismissal, caught brilliantly by Cooper Connolly at backward point. Both veterans, Rohit and Kohli, will need to bounce back in the upcoming ODIs in Adelaide and Sydney to show they still have what it takes.
Shubman Gill, the new captain, looked steady until a casual flick led to his wicket. Shreyas Iyer briefly rallied the team, executing a stylish square cut off Hazlewood, but he met the same fate soon after, leaving India in a perilous position at 45 for four.
KL Rahul emerged as a bright spot, scoring 38 runs and hitting two sixes off spinner Matthew Short. He showcased composure against the bounce and tried to push India forward, partnering with Axar Patel for a solid fifth-wicket stand of 39 runs. Unfortunately, the limited overs didn’t allow for a full-blown attack.
Australia’s bowling attack proved effective, and the pressure mounted on India, especially given the conditions. With the boys facing a tight schedule ahead, they must adapt quickly if they wish to compete strongly in the series.
In related news, a study by ESPN indicates that T20 cricket is drawing younger audiences in India, shifting focus from traditional ODI formats. This raises questions about the future of ODIs in the cricket world.
As for the playing XI, Australia lined up with Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, and Josh Hazlewood leading the charge, while India fielded Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and KL Rahul among others.
It’s a crucial time for India to regroup and strategize as they head into the next matches.
Source link
ROHIT SHARMA, INDIA VS AUSTRALIA, VIRAT KOHLI, INDIA VS AUSTRALIA 1ST ODI UPDATES PERTH OPTUS STADIUM
