The much-awaited return of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to international cricket after seven months didn’t go as planned, as both senior batters departed early in the first ODI against Australia at the Optus Stadium in Perth.
After Australia opted to bowl first, India’s experienced top order struggled against the pace and bounce of Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc on a lively Perth surface.
Rohit Sharma was the first to fall, edging a rising delivery from Hazlewood to Matt Renshaw at second slip for 8 off 14 balls. Moments later, Mitchell Starc sent back Virat Kohli for a duck (0 off 8), tempting him into a loose drive outside off stump. Cooper Connolly took a stunning low catch at backward point to leave India reeling at 21/2 in 6.1 overs.
At the crease now are Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer, tasked with rebuilding India’s innings after an early collapse. Australia’s fast-bowling duo has made full use of the Perth conditions, extracting sharp movement and bounce to keep India on the back foot in the powerplay.
The match also marks India’s 16th consecutive toss loss in ODIs, with their last coin win coming during the 2023 World Cup semifinal against New Zealand.
