Rain has once again interrupted play in the first ODI between India and Australia at the Optus Stadium, Perth, with India at 32/3 in 10.5 overs. The drizzle returned around 12:40 PM local time (10:10 AM IST), forcing the umpires to remove the stumps and call for the covers as ground staff rushed to protect the pitch.
Commentator Ravi Shastri noted on air that the drizzle was “not even hard,” but with the weather unpredictable in Perth, the officials decided to take no risks. 49 overs per side.
Before rain halted proceedings, India were struggling after losing their top order early. Rohit Sharma (8), Virat Kohli (0), and Shubman Gill (10) all fell cheaply to Australia’s pace trio — Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Nathan Ellis — leaving India on the back foot.
At the crease are Axar Patel (3 off 8) and Shreyas Iyer (6 off 17), looking to rebuild the innings after a fiery opening spell from the Australian seamers.
The drizzle has now eased slightly, and players await further inspection as the umpires assess conditions for a possible restart.
