Australia’s stand-in captain, Mitchell Marsh, played a pivotal role in guiding his team to a seven-wicket victory over India in the rain-affected first ODI at Optus Stadium in Perth on Sunday. Marsh remained unbeaten on 46 runs, anchoring the chase as Australia overcame a revised target of 131 runs in a match reduced to 26 overs per side due to intermittent showers. The win gives Australia a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
India won the toss and opted to bat first under overcast conditions, but early breakthroughs from Australia’s bowlers put the visitors under pressure. Josh Hazlewood dismissed Rohit Sharma for just 8, while Mitchell Starc removed Virat Kohli for a duck. The Indian top order struggled to build momentum, with Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer falling cheaply. KL Rahul’s quick 38 off 31 balls provided some resistance, but India could manage only 136 for 9 in their allotted overs.
In reply, Australia faced early setbacks with Travis Head and Matt Short both dismissed cheaply. However, Marsh steadied the innings alongside Josh Philippe, who scored 37 off 29 balls, and debutant Matt Renshaw, who remained unbeaten on 21. Marsh’s composed knock, featuring three sixes, ensured Australia reached the target comfortably with 29 balls to spare. His leadership and performance earned him the Player of the Match award.
Looking ahead, the series continues with the second ODI in Adelaide on Thursday, followed by the final match at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday. Australia will aim to consolidate their lead, while India will look to bounce back and level the series. Marsh’s performance has also sparked discussions about his potential role in the upcoming Ashes series, highlighting his growing importance in the Australian lineup.
