Kohli, Rohit Fail on Comeback as India Collapse Early in Perth ODI; Rain Disrupts Opening Clash Against Australia
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will be the focus in India''s ODI series opener against Australia at Perth on Sunday.
Aadrika Tayal 
New Delhi (India) October 19: All attention is on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli as they play ODI for first time since March 2025. Shubman Gill will captain men in blue, but there is no avoiding the superstar duo. For Australia, they will be sans few of their main players with Pat Cummins being injured while having been going through a transition phase in the 50-over format after the retirement of some stalwarts.
Rohit and Kohli Return
Both Kohli and Rohit meanwhile are returning to action after not featuring in any form of cricket since the Indian Premier League (IPL) was called off in June. With the 2027 ODI World Cup in sight, the series against Australia will provide an opportunity for both the former captains to assess where they stand at this stage. Nitish Kumar Reddy will be making his ODI debut today. Rohit Sharma handed him the cap and the all-rounder had tears in his eyes post-Rohit's speech there.
Australia, on the other hand, had three changes in their ODI squad. All-rounder Cameron Green was diagnosed with an injury and he has been replaced by Marnus Labuschagne in the squad for the series. Earlier, Josh Philippe was ruled out to make way for wicketkeeper Josh Inglis (still recovering from a calf strain) while Matthew Kuhnemann replaced Adam Zampa.
Rohit and Virat fall early in Perth ODI
India’s top order collapsed in the opening ODI against Australia at the Perth Stadium on Sunday as senior batsmen Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma fell cheaply. Opening the innings, Rohit could score just eight before he edged a Josh Hazlewood delivery to second slip. A few deliveries later, Kohli had his first duck in ODIs in Australia. He went after a full delivery wide of off stump from Mitchell Starc and was brilliantly caught by Connolly at backward point. Shubman Gill, who had looked good for two boundaries, also fell soon thereafter when he edged one down the leg side off Nathan Ellis to depart for 10.
Rain forces DLS adjustment, match cut to 35 overs
The rain interrupted play shortly afterward, but by then the visitors had lost their top three wickets and much of their early momentum.
On resumption, after a lengthy delay, the match was shortened to 35 overs per side according to the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) playing method. Now each bowler is allowed only seven overs, and once play resumes Australia will be set a revised target. The innings break will be a 20-minute interval as Australia come out to bat in damp but responsive conditions.
India vs Australia begin road to 2027 World Cup
The India vs Australia ODI series is the start of the sides’ 2027 ODI World Cup preparations.
Thus far, India and Australia have faced each other in 152 ODI matches with the Men in Blue emerging victorious in 58 encounters. Australia have won 84 matches as 10 ODIs were abandoned. India last faced Australia in an ODI during the semifinals of ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which Rohit Sharma’s team won by four wickets.
