The hype was massive. The buildup electric. But when the rain came down in Perth, India’s blockbuster turned into a complete flop.
After eight consecutive ODI wins, the Men in Blue finally stumbled and it wasn’t pretty. India vs Australia 1st ODI was supposed to set the tone for a fiery series. Instead, it turned into a forgettable night that most fans would rather erase from memory.
Rain, Ducks, and Disappointment
The match began with promise, but the script fell apart within minutes. India’s top order, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shubman Gill, combined for just 18 runs, the team’s lowest top-three total since that haunting 2019 World Cup semifinal against New Zealand.
Kohli’s dismissal, his first-ever ODI duck in Australia, summed up the mood. Rohit managed just 8. By the time India slipped to 45/4, the result felt inevitable.
Credit to Axar Patel, KL Rahul, and debutant Nitish Reddy, who fought back and dragged India to 131 in a rain-interrupted innings. But with constant stoppages and lost momentum, it never looked like enough.
Australia Made It Look Easy
For Australia, the chase was straightforward. With the target reduced due to rain, they cruised to victory by 7 wickets with 29 balls to spare, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Clinical, calm, and efficient, everything India wasn’t.
This was India’s first ODI defeat in 2025, ending their perfect 8-0 streak this year. Disappointing? Absolutely. Alarming? Not quite. The conditions were tricky, and rain always tilts the balance in favour of the chasing side.
Time to Bounce Back
Fans might call it a flop, but one bad game doesn’t define a series. With two ODIs left, India has every chance to hit back hard in Adelaide. Expect changes, sharper intent, and maybe a bit of that familiar Kohli-Rohit fire.
For now, though, Perth will go down as the rain-soaked reality check. A match that promised everything, and delivered nothing.
