Arshdeep strikes early as Australia chase down India in rain-hit ODI
Australia cruise to 131 in 21 overs for 7-wicket win; Head falls for 8 in 1.2 overs to Arshdeep's sharp catch.
Newsroom, October 19, 2025:
Australia clinched a comfortable seven-wicket victory in the rain-curtailed first ODI against India at Optus Stadium, Perth, chasing a revised 131 in just 21 overs after reducing the contest to 26 overs per side.
Mitchell Marsh's decision to bowl first paid off as the pace attack dismantled India's top order, bundling them out for 136 in 26 overs, with Josh Hazlewood's 2-22 and Mitchell Starc's early blows on Rohit Sharma (8) and Virat Kohli (0) setting the tone. KL Rahul's 38 and Axar Patel's 31 offered resistance, but Nitish Kumar Reddy's debut sixes couldn't stem the collapse.
Arshdeep Singh provided a brief spark in Australia's chase, snaring opener Travis Head for 8 in the 1.2 over, a mistimed slash caught by Harshit Rana at deep third man, leaving the hosts at 10/1.
However, Mitchell Marsh's unbeaten 46, laced with three sixes, and Matt Renshaw's boundaries steered the win, with Josh Philippe (37) falling to Washington Sundar at 94/3. India's eight-match winning streak snapped, handing Australia a 1-0 lead