Staff India’s much-anticipated comeback towards Australia within the first ODI at Optus Stadium resulted in disappointment as rain and inconsistent batting left the guests struggling. India managed simply 136/9 in 26 overs, with veteran stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma failing to make an affect. The match additionally noticed Staff India head coach Gautam Gambhir visibly pissed off with Shreyas Iyer’s dismissal, a second that sparked dialogue throughout cricket circles.
— Nihari Korma (@NihariVsKorma) October 19, 2025
Gambhir’s Response: Dissecting Iyer’s Dismissal
Shreyas Iyer’s wicket within the 14th over grew to become the point of interest for Staff India’s teaching workers. Going through Josh Hazlewood, Iyer discovered himself cramped for house because the pacer delivered a steeply-bouncing ball on the leg stump. Making an attempt to look it, Iyer solely managed an edge, which wicketkeeper Josh Philippe safely caught behind the stumps.
Gautam Gambhir, noticed analyzing the dismissal alongside batting coach Sitanshu Kotak, appeared visibly upset. Analysts famous that the quick ball continues to be a vulnerability for Iyer, who had performed an important position in India’s Champions Trophy 2025 triumph. Followers and pundits alike are actually questioning if changes are wanted in his method towards high quality quick bowling in Australia.
“The additional bounce and Hazlewood’s accuracy made it troublesome for Iyer,” a cricket knowledgeable famous, highlighting the technical challenges on the Perth wicket.
Rain-Shortened Match and Prime-Order Collapse
India’s batting woes have been compounded by rain, lowering the competition to 26 overs per aspect. The highest order couldn’t capitalize: Rohit Sharma scored 8, Shubman Gill 10, Virat Kohli 0, and Shreyas Iyer 11. Kohli’s duck marked his first in Australia, whereas Rohit’s temporary innings included a basic straight drive off Mitchell Starc, a fleeting reminder of his ODI brilliance.
Shubman Gill mirrored on the staff’s predicament through the post-match presentation:
“While you lose three wickets within the powerplay, you are all the time making an attempt to play catch up. Defending 130 in 26 overs was robust, however we took the sport fairly deep.”
KL Rahul emerged as India’s lone savior, top-scoring with 38 off 30 balls. He displayed wonderful management towards the Australian tempo assault, punishing the additional bounce with a mixture of straight drives and well-timed pulls. Rahul, alongside Axar Patel, stitched a 39-run fifth-wicket partnership, displaying glimpses of resistance earlier than India’s innings folded.
Australia’s Medical Chase
Chasing a decreased goal of 131 runs beneath the DLS methodology, Australia’s innings was anchored by Mitchell Marsh, who remained unbeaten on 46. With a seven-wicket win, the hosts capitalized on India’s batting frailties and the difficult pitch situations. The Optus Stadium floor, with further bounce and seam motion, favored the Australian pacers, making life troublesome for the Indian lineup.