Australia Beat India in Rain-Shortened Perth ODI

At Perth’s Optus Stadium, a rain-truncated opener saw India limited to 136/9 in a 26-over innings and Australia chase the revised DLS target to win by seven wickets, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Mitchell Marsh finished unbeaten on 46 while Josh Philippe contributed 37 as Australia anchored the chase. India’s senior batters Rohit Sharma (8) and Virat Kohli (0) were dismissed cheaply, though KL Rahul (38) and Axar Patel (31) offered some late resistance. Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood bowled incisively for Australia, with Hazlewood returning 2/20. Debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy, 22, received ODI cap No. 260 from Rohit Sharma after being called up as cover for the injured Hardik Pandya; he scored 19* off 11 (two sixes) and bowled 2.1 overs for 16 on debut. Commentators including Matthew Hayden urged Kohli to trust his technique after his brief return to the side.