New Delhi: Australia defeated India by seven wickets in the first match of the three-match ODI series, which was affected by rain. Under the Duckworth-Lewis method, Australia were given a revised target of 131 runs, which they chased down in 21.1 overs with captain Mitchell Marsh leading from the front with an unbeaten 46.
Australia had a shaky start as openers Travis Head and Matt Short were dismissed early, both scoring 8 runs each. However, Marsh and wicketkeeper-batsman Josh Philippe steadied the innings with a 55-run partnership for the third wicket. Philippe scored 37 off 29 balls, hitting 3 fours and 2 sixes, while Matt Renshaw remained unbeaten on 21 off 24 balls. Marsh’s 46 came off 52 deliveries, including 3 sixes and 2 fours.
For India, Arshdeep Singh, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar picked up one wicket each.
Earlier, after losing the toss, India managed 136 runs for the loss of nine wickets in 26 overs as the match was shortened due to rain.
Skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, returning to international cricket after nearly seven months, failed to make an impact—Rohit scored 8 off 14 balls, while Kohli was dismissed for a duck.
KL Rahul top-scored with 38 off 31 balls, including 2 sixes and 2 fours. Axar Patel contributed 31 from 38 deliveries, helping India post a modest total. Nitish Kumar Reddy added a quick unbeaten 19 off 11 balls with 2 sixes, while Shreyas Iyer and Washington Sundar scored 11 and 10 respectively.
For Australia, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Owen, and Matthew Kuhnemann took two wickets each, while Mitchell Starc and Nathan Ellis claimed one apiece.
