India endured a disappointing batting display in the opening ODI against Australia in Perth on Sunday, as their top order failed to make a meaningful impact in the rain-affected encounter. The scoreboard told the story — Rohit Sharma (8), Shubman Gill (10), Virat Kohli (0), and Shreyas Iyer (11) all fell cheaply, leaving India struggling for stability.
Despite the anticipation surrounding Rohit and Kohli’s return to international cricket, both stalwarts couldn’t convert their starts into notable contributions. Their early dismissals set the tone for India’s underwhelming total of 136 for nine in the 26-over-a-side match, which was repeatedly interrupted by rain.
Australia, electing to bowl first under overcast skies, made full use of the conditions and extracted sharp bounce from the Optus Stadium pitch. The combination of movement and extra lift proved too much for India’s batters, exposing technical flaws early in the innings.
Iyer’s Dismissal Raises Questions
Shreyas Iyer’s dismissal particularly caught attention, as the right-hander, who was pivotal in India’s Champions Trophy 2025 triumph, once again fell to a short-pitched delivery. Facing Josh Hazlewood in the 14th over, Iyer tried to glance a rising ball but was cramped for room due to the steep bounce. The ball grazed his glove, allowing wicketkeeper Josh Philippe to take a sharp catch.
— Nihari Korma (@NihariVsKorma) October 19, 2025
Iyer’s repeated struggles against bounce and pace have become a concern, especially given his importance at No. 4. His soft dismissal sparked a visible reaction from head coach Gautam Gambhir, who appeared frustrated in the dugout. Cameras captured Gambhir discussing the mode of dismissal intensely with the assistant coach — a moment that quickly went viral online. Fans interpreted it as a reflection of Gambhir’s dissatisfaction with India’s inability to adapt to Australian conditions.
Veterans Struggle, Rahul Stands Tall
The much-hyped comeback of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli turned into a short-lived affair, lasting just 22 balls combined. Rohit’s familiar weakness outside the off-stump was once again exposed by Mitchell Starc, while Kohli’s attempt to drive on the up resulted in a sharp catch by Cooper Connolly — marking his first-ever duck in Australia.
KL Rahul (38 off 30) was the lone bright spot in India’s innings, briefly reviving hopes with some elegant stroke play. However, the lack of support from the top order and frequent rain interruptions meant India never found rhythm. The veterans will now look to redeem themselves in the upcoming ODIs in Adelaide and Sydney.
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