Perth, Western Australia, Australia – The opening One Day International (ODI) between India and Australia at Perth Stadium was disrupted for a second time by persistent rain today, leaving the home side in a commanding position. The match, part of India's tour Down Under ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup, was reduced to 49 overs per side following the initial delay. At the time of the latest interruption, after 11.5 overs, India were precariously placed at 37 for 3, with vice-captain Shreyas Iyer (6*) and all-rounder Axar Patel (7*) tasked with steadying the innings against a probing Australian attack. Australia captain Mitchell Marsh won the toss and opted to bowl first under overcast skies, a decision vindicated by his seamers' early dominance.

India's top-order collapse was as swift as it was shocking, marking a bitter return for veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli after a seven-month hiatus from ODIs. Sharma, playing his 500th international match, fell for 8 off 14 balls to Josh Hazlewood, poking at a delivery that seamed away to be caught at second slip by debutant Matt Renshaw. Kohli, seeking to exorcise ghosts from the 2023 World Cup final, managed a golden duck, bowled by Hazlewood's inswinging yorker that castled middle stump—his first in ODIs Down Under.

Captain Shubman Gill, on his ODI leadership debut, added 11 before Nathan Ellis induced a thick edge to keeper Josh Inglis. The trio's combined 19 runs represented India's lowest top-three aggregate since the 2019 World Cup semi-final loss to New Zealand, evoking painful memories of that heartbreak. Hazlewood (1/16) and Ellis (1/1) exploited the swing-friendly conditions, while the intermittent showers added to the frustration, with covers on the field as umpires assessed the situation.

This series opener carries extra weight as a litmus test for India's transitional setup. Gill's appointment as captain signals a youth infusion, but the reliance on Kohli and Sharma's experience—post their Test and T20I retirements—underscored the pressure on the batting unit. Australia, reigning ODI World Cup champions despite recent inconsistencies, are without injured skipper Pat Cummins but boast a potent pace battery including Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and debutant all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy for India, facing his first ODI here.

The hosts handed ODI caps to Renshaw and Mitchell Owen, blending experience with fresh blood. Historical context favours Australia, who lead the head-to-head 84-58, though India stunned them in the 2025 Champions Trophy semi-final en route to the title. With no reserve day and forecasts predicting further showers, a truncated contest looms, potentially favouring Australia's bowlers if play resumes soon.

Also Read: Kohli, Rohit’s Comeback Faces Rain Scare as India Take on Australia in Perth

As the wait continues, reactions on social media reflect Indian fans' dismay and Australian optimism. Posts lament the "rain duck" for the veterans while highlighting the echoes of past collapses. Should Iyer and Patel anchor the innings upon resumption, India could target 250-270 on a pitch offering seam movement but true bounce. A win here would boost morale for the subsequent ODIs in November, but early signs point to a gritty battle. Updates from Perth Stadium will follow as weather permits, with the global cricket community glued to this marquee rivalry's revival.

Also Read: BCCI Confirms: Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli Nowhere Near Retirement Yet