Mitchell Marsh Leads Australia to Dominant ODI Win Over India as Rohit and Kohli Falter on Return
Perth, Australia — Stand-in captain Mitchell Marsh powered Australia to a comfortable seven-wicket victory over India in the rain-affected first One Day International (ODI) at Perth Stadium on Sunday. The all-rounder’s unbeaten 46 guided his side home in a match that marked the international return of Indian stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who both endured disappointing outings.
Australia chased down a revised target of 131 runs in 21.1 overs, after India managed just 136 for 9 in 26 overs amid multiple rain interruptions. Marsh’s composed innings, coupled with disciplined bowling from the Australian attack, set the tone for a dominant start to the three-match series.
Rain-Interrupted Start and India’s Early Collapse
The contest began under gloomy skies, and conditions only worsened as drizzle repeatedly halted play. After being asked to bat first by Marsh, India’s much-anticipated batting lineup struggled to find rhythm on a lively Perth surface that offered pace and bounce to Australia’s fast bowlers.
The Indian innings was interrupted four times due to rain, disrupting the batters’ momentum and making stroke play increasingly difficult. When play resumed, Australia’s bowlers took full advantage, dismantling India’s top order in clinical fashion.
India’s powerhouses Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, returning to ODIs for the first time since March’s Champions Trophy triumph, were greeted by loud cheers from the 42,000-strong crowd — but their stays at the crease were short-lived.
Rohit and Kohli Fail to Fire in Comeback
Having announced their retirement from other formats to focus solely on the 2027 World Cup, both Rohit and Kohli were expected to anchor India’s innings. Instead, they became early victims of Australia’s relentless pace attack.
Rohit, visibly tentative, edged Josh Hazlewood to second slip after scoring just eight runs, while Kohli, in his much-awaited return, fell for a duck — slashing at a short, wide delivery from Mitchell Starc, only to be brilliantly caught by Cooper Connolly at backward point.
Their dismissals left India in trouble at 20 for 2, and when new captain Shubman Gill nicked one off Nathan Ellis for 10, the visitors slumped further to 37 for 3 before rain forced another long delay.
Australian Bowlers Maintain Control
Australia’s bowling attack, led by Josh Hazlewood (3-29) and Matthew Kuhnemann (2-26), kept the pressure on throughout. Spinner Kuhnemann, who bowled with remarkable control in the middle overs, praised his team’s aggressive start.
“All of their batters are world-class — legends of the game,” Kuhnemann said post-match. “In one-day cricket, getting wickets up front makes a massive difference, and the boys did that beautifully today.”
When play resumed after a two-hour break, Shreyas Iyer (11) briefly counterattacked, slashing Hazlewood to the boundary to the crowd’s delight. But Hazlewood struck back almost immediately, having Iyer caught behind by Josh Philippe, who impressed behind the stumps.
KL Rahul and Axar Patel Offer Resistance
With India reeling at 50 for 4, KL Rahul and Axar Patel attempted to rebuild the innings. Rahul looked solid on his way to 38 runs, while Axar contributed 31, trying to inject some stability into India’s faltering innings.
Their 54-run partnership provided temporary relief, but both were undone by tight bowling from Kuhnemann and medium-pacer Mitch Owen, who maintained consistent line and length to stifle scoring opportunities.
The tail offered little resistance, though Nitish Kumar Reddy brought brief excitement with a quick-fire 19 off 11 balls, featuring two boundaries and a six before falling to Starc. India limped to 136-9 before rain ended the innings prematurely, leaving Australia with a revised target of 131 runs under the DLS method.
Mitchell Marsh Leads the Charge
Stepping up as captain in the absence of Pat Cummins, who remains sidelined with a back injury, Mitchell Marsh once again proved his worth as a leader and match-winner. Continuing his blistering form from recent series against South Africa and New Zealand, Marsh attacked from the outset, smashing three towering sixes to set the tempo for Australia’s chase.
He finished unbeaten on 46 off 35 balls, guiding Australia to victory with more than four overs to spare. His aggressive intent and calm leadership earned him the Player of the Match award.
“We knew the conditions would be tricky, but the plan was to stay positive,” Marsh said. “The bowlers set it up beautifully, and all I had to do was finish the job. I’m proud of the way the boys played.”
Josh Philippe Impresses on Return
Wicketkeeper-batter Josh Philippe, returning to ODI cricket for the first time since 2021 due to the absence of Josh Inglis and Alex Carey, seized his opportunity with a fluent 37 off 34 balls. He partnered Marsh in a quick 73-run stand before top-edging Arshdeep Singh to deep square leg.
Philippe’s attacking strokes energized the crowd, and his return adds healthy competition to Australia’s wicketkeeping options ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup.
Supporting Roles and Closing Moments
Matt Renshaw added an unbeaten 21, calmly steering Australia over the line alongside his skipper. India’s bowlers toiled hard but were never truly in control after failing to post a competitive total. Arshdeep Singh, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar each claimed a wicket, but Australia’s dominance was never in doubt.
India’s stand-in pacer Arshdeep Singh admitted the team knew it was an uphill battle after posting a modest score.
“We didn’t have many runs to defend, but our goal was to bowl with intent and express ourselves,” he said. “Hopefully, we can bounce back stronger in Adelaide.”
Series Outlook: Can India Bounce Back?
The seven-wicket defeat was a wake-up call for India, whose top-order struggles and lack of adaptability in seaming conditions proved costly. The team’s management will likely consider changes ahead of the second ODI in Adelaide on Thursday.
The series will conclude in Sydney on Saturday, giving India two opportunities to regroup and find form before heading into a busy cricket calendar.
For Australia, the win reinforced their growing depth and adaptability. With several first-choice players rested or injured, the performance of Marsh, Philippe, and Kuhnemann highlighted the team’s balance and readiness for next year’s ICC tournaments.
Statistical Summary
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India: 136/9 (26 overs, DLS-adjusted)
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KL Rahul 38, Axar Patel 31, Nitish Reddy 19
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Josh Hazlewood 3/29, Matthew Kuhnemann 2/26, Mitchell Starc 2/30
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Australia: 131/3 (21.1 overs)
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Mitchell Marsh 46, Josh Philippe 37, Matt Renshaw 21
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Arshdeep Singh 1/22, Axar Patel 1/19, Washington Sundar 1/25
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Australia won by 7 wickets (DLS method).
Player of the Match: Mitchell Marsh (46* & captaincy).
A Confident Start for Marsh and Australia
Mitchell Marsh’s leadership debut as stand-in captain couldn’t have gone better. His explosive batting, tactical awareness, and calm demeanor ensured Australia began their home summer in dominant fashion.
Meanwhile, India’s veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will look to put this rare double failure behind them and regain rhythm quickly, as the pressure mounts on the team’s top order ahead of the next ODI.
As the two cricketing giants prepare to clash again in Adelaide, all eyes will be on whether Marsh’s momentum continues — or if Rohit and Kohli can script a comeback to remember.