Australia beat India by seven wickets (DLS method) in the 1st ODI at Perth, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series after rain reduced the game to 26 overs per side and set Australia a target of 131, which they chased in 21.1 overs with Mitchell Marsh unbeaten on 46 and adjudged Player of the Match
### Match summary
- Australia 131/3 in 21.1 overs beat India 136/9 in 26 overs by 7 wickets (DLS) at Perth Stadium, Perth [1][4].
- Player of the Match: Mitchell Marsh (46*), leading the chase calmly with support from Josh Philippe and Matt Renshaw after early wickets fell in seaming conditions
### Key moments
- Australia won the toss and opted to bowl on a lively, rain-affected pitch, using movement to remove Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli early, with Shubman Gill also falling inside nine overs, leaving India under pressure at the top
- Persistent showers trimmed the match to 26 overs per side, disrupting India’s rhythm and forcing a stop‑start innings that never fully recovered despite KL Rahul’s resistance in the middle overs [
- The DLS-adjusted chase target of 131 proved comfortable as Marsh anchored the innings; Australia crossed the line with 29 balls to spare to hand Gill a defeat in his first ODI as India captain
### Batting highlights
- India: KL Rahul top-scored with 38, stabilizing after a top-order collapse; Axar Patel added 31 in a brief recovery phase before the lower middle order was dented by spin and disciplined pace
- Australia: Mitchell Marsh finished 46* with controlled aggression after an attacking start; partnerships with Josh Philippe and Matt Renshaw sealed a routine finish despite early wickets and swinging conditions
### Bowling highlights
- Australia’s pace pair Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood struck early to remove India’s senior batters and set the tone, with Matthew Kuhnemann’s left-arm spin chipping in crucial middle-overs wickets including Washington Sundar bowled attempting a reverse sweep
- India’s attack found some assistance under lights and removed Travis Head early, but could not apply sustained pressure as Marsh guided a measured chase to close out the game efficiently
### Context and what’s next
- This was India’s first ODI defeat of 2025, snapping an eight-match ODI winning streak, while giving Australia an early advantage in the series under home conditions
- The second ODI is scheduled in Adelaide on October 23, where India will seek batting recalibration at the top and sharper death overs to level the series
### Quick scorecard
- India: 136/9 in 26 overs; top-scorer KL Rahul 38; Axar Patel 31; early wickets to Starc/Hazlewood; Kuhnemann impactful in middle overs
- Australia: 131/3 in 21.1 overs (target 131 DLS); Marsh 46*; chase completed with 29 balls remaining; Australia lead series 1‑0
