Introduction
It was an afternoon full of drama, emotion, and electrifying cricket as two of the world’s most powerful cricketing nations, India and Australia, clashed in the first ODI of the three-match series in Perth. The match wasn’t just about bat and ball — it had everything from star-studded returns, pacy spells, incredible catches, surprise performances, and yes — the infamous Perth rain playing spoilsport not once, but thrice.

While the Indian fans were eagerly waiting for the comeback of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, it was the lesser-known names like Axar Patel, KL Rahul, and Nitish Kumar Reddy who kept the Indian hopes alive on a tricky surface.
Let’s walk through the rollercoaster that was this ODI — from the first ball to the last boundary!
The Toss & Conditions: Marsh Goes for the Chase
Australian skipper Mitchell Marsh won the toss and, considering the overcast conditions and moisture on the bouncy Perth pitch, opted to bowl first. With Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood spearheading the attack, it was a no-brainer to use the early seam movement.
India’s playing XI saw Shubman Gill leading the team for the first time in an ODI, with stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli making their much-awaited returns post the Champions Trophy.
Early Collapse: Starc & Hazlewood Unleash Fury
India’s innings began with Rohit and Shubman opening. From ball one, it was clear that the Australian pacers meant business. The first few overs were tight, with Starc hitting 140+ kmph consistently, and Hazlewood maintaining a nagging line and length.
- In the 4th over, Rohit was undone by bounce — nicking a rising delivery from Hazlewood to second slip. Out for just 8 runs.
- Enter Virat Kohli, but his stay was even shorter. Mitchell Starc, with a dream delivery, forced an edge and Kohli walked back for a duck, stunning the crowd into silence.
Soon after, Shubman Gill also perished while trying to guide one to fine leg — edged to the keeper for just 10. The scoreboard read a worrying 21/3.
Rain Plays Spoilsport
Just when India looked to rebuild, rain made its first appearance. After the interruption, the match was reduced to 49 overs per side, and India resumed cautiously. But the Australian attack didn’t ease up.
Middle-Order Resistance: Axar & Rahul Stand Tall
With the team struggling at 45/4 after Shreyas Iyer also fell cheaply, the onus fell on KL Rahul and Axar Patel to steady the innings.
And they did, to a certain extent.
- Axar played with grit, dealing with bounce and swing smartly.
- Rahul, ever the calm presence, showed his range — with pulls, cuts, and deft touches.
They stitched together a crucial stand, slowly dragging India past the 80-run mark. But once again, rain interrupted, and the game was further shortened to 26 overs per side.
Nitish Kumar Reddy’s Cameo: A Spark at the End
Axar fell for 31, and Rahul continued fighting but perished at 38 trying to accelerate. With wickets falling at the other end, it was the young Nitish Kumar Reddy who brought the crowd to its feet.
- In the final over, he smashed a six over deep mid-wicket and followed it up with a powerful lofted boundary.
- His 19 off just 9 balls* gave India a much-needed boost.
India closed at 136/9 in 26 overs, a fighting total given the conditions, thanks largely to Axar, Rahul, and Nitish’s late fireworks.
The Target: 131 via DLS for Australia
Due to DLS adjustments, Australia needed 131 runs in 26 overs — a tricky target considering the pitch was still assisting bowlers, and the pressure of a chase can be unforgiving.
While the chase isn’t covered in the clip, the build-up from India’s innings made it clear — this wasn’t going to be an easy ride for either side.
Key Highlights & Turning Points
Let’s recap the most thrilling moments from India’s innings:
Starc vs Kohli — The Battle That Ended Quickly
- Starc’s fire-breathing over against Kohli was edge-of-the-seat stuff.
- The wicket — an outside edge flying to backward point — was a big psychological blow to India.
Gill’s Classy Boundary
- His cover drive off Hazlewood — a thing of beauty. It showed his class, even though his stay was brief.
.Axar’s Smart Batting
- In tough conditions, he mixed caution with aggression, playing perhaps the most mature knock of the innings.
Rahul’s Back-to-Back Boundaries
- Against spinners, especially Kohneimann, Rahul unleashed a couple of lofted shots that reignited hope in Indian fans.
Nitish Reddy’s Last-Over Powerplay
- In just a few balls, Nitish showed he can handle pressure.
- A six and a four in the last over were priceless.
What Went Wrong for India?
- Top-Order Failure
Losing Rohit, Kohli, and Gill within the first powerplay derailed momentum. - Middle-Order Fragility
Iyer’s cheap dismissal exposed the lower order early. - Lack of Partnerships
Barring the Axar-Rahul stand, no other pair crossed even 20 runs together. - Rain Interruptions
The repeated stoppages broke rhythm and led to re-evaluation of strategy — something Australia managed better in the first half.
Positives for India
Despite the loss of key wickets, some bright spots emerged:
- Axar Patel’s Form: Reliable in the lower middle-order.
- KL Rahul’s Return to Form: His 38 off 32 showed maturity.
- Nitish’s Composure Under Pressure: A positive sign for India’s bench strength.
- Tail-End Resistance: India managed to bat the full 26 overs despite being 8 down at one point.
Fan Reactions: High Tension, Mixed Emotions
As expected, social media was ablaze during and after the match. While many expressed disappointment over the top-order collapse, others praised the fight shown by the middle and lower order.
Comments ranged from:
“Vintage Starc! That Kohli wicket was gold.”
“Axar needs to bat higher up the order.”
“Nitish Kumar Reddy — remember the name!”
“Perth pitch, rain, and Aussie pace — lethal combo!”
Final Score Summary
India Innings (26 overs):
136/9
- KL Rahul – 38 (32)
- Axar Patel – 31 (38)
- Nitish Kumar Reddy – 19* (9)
- Starc – 3 wickets
- Hazlewood – 2 wickets
- Nathan Ellis – 1 wicket
Australia Target via DLS:
131 in 26 overs
Verdict: A Learning Curve for India
This match was a test of character, especially for India’s top-order. The conditions were tough, the bowling was elite, and interruptions made it harder. While the score of 136 may not look intimidating, it was a defendable total considering the bounce and movement on offer.
It also showed India’s depth, with Rahul, Axar, and Nitish stepping up when needed.
Who Was India’s Hero?
If we were to pick one name — KL Rahul probably edges it, for his poise and timing. But Axar’s all-round application and Nitish’s fearless attitude in the end overs deserve just as much applause.