Gill named India Test captain after Perth loss

In the rain-hit first ODI at Optus Stadium in Perth on Oct. 19, 2025, Australia beat India by seven wickets under the DLS method after India were dismissed for 136/9 in 26 overs against a revised target of 131. Mitchell Marsh won the toss and put India in to bat; the match marked Shubman Gill's ODI captaincy debut and the return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from seven-to-eight-month absences, but both failed to make significant contributions. Critics questioned Gill's tactics—particularly the limited early use of Arshdeep Singh—and former players urged changes to the attack, including recalling Kuldeep Yadav. BCCI selector Ajit Agarkar announced Gill as India's new Test captain with Rishabh Pant named deputy, a leadership transition prompted by Rohit Sharma's Test retirement. The tour continues with two more ODIs and five T20Is that will test India's blend of youth and veterans in Australian conditions.