After a shaky start in the first ODI against Australia, India reached 80/4 at the end of 19 overs, with Axar Patel and KL Rahul steadying the innings in Perth.
The pair counterattacked in the 18th over bowled by Nathan Ellis, smashing 15 runs off it, including three boundaries — one each by Axar and two by Rahul. The duo’s calculated aggression brought some momentum back for India after losing key wickets early in the innings.
Earlier, Rohit Sharma (8), Virat Kohli (0), Shubman Gill (10), and Shreyas Iyer (11) departed quickly as Australia’s pace attack dominated the early phase.
At the crease, KL Rahul remains unbeaten, while Axar Patel continues to anchor the innings, looking to push India past the 100-run mark and set up a fighting total in this rain-affected encounter.
