Perth, Australia – India's cricket team is rallying behind Virat Kohli, expecting him to bounce back strongly after a disappointing duck in the first ODI against Australia at Perth Stadium. The match, which marked the return of both Kohli and Rohit Sharma to the ODI squad after a seven-month absence, saw India suffer a seven-wicket defeat in a rain-affected game.
Kohli's innings was cut short after just eight balls when he edged a Mitchell Starc delivery to Cooper Connolly at backward point. This was Kohli's first-ever duck in an ODI in Australia, after 30 innings. Rohit Sharma, playing his 500th international match, also had a poor outing, scoring only 8 runs. The top order collapse left India struggling at 136/9 in their 26 overs.
Despite the setback, Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh expressed confidence in Kohli's ability to rebound. "I mean, he's played more than 300 one-dayers for India, so form is just a word for him," Singh said. "He knows how to get going, and it's like a blessing to be in the same dressing room with him". Singh further predicted that Kohli would score plenty of runs in the remainder of the series.
Former Australian star Matthew Hayden also backed Kohli, urging him to trust his technique and not let the dismissal affect his approach for the upcoming matches. Hayden highlighted Kohli's exceptional striking ability and consistent performance in the ODI format, emphasizing that one setback should not undermine his confidence.
The Australian bowlers exploited the lively Perth pitch, which offered extra bounce. Mitchell Marsh led the Australian chase with an unbeaten 46, supported by Josh Philippe's 37, securing victory for the home side with 29 balls to spare.
India will look to regroup quickly as they head to Adelaide for the second ODI on October 23, followed by the final match in Sydney on October 25. Shubman Gill is leading the Indian side in this series. This series marks the dawn of a new era for India under Shubman Gill’s leadership, with the young captain eager to make a statement in his first major overseas challenge. India will seek to continue their recent dominance in bilateral duels, while Australia will look to reassert their home supremacy.
The defeat in the first ODI has put India on the back foot, but the team management and fans alike are optimistic that Kohli, along with the other batsmen, will find their form and contribute to a strong comeback in the remaining matches. The series is crucial for Kohli, who is aiming to make it to the 2027 ODI World Cup in Africa.
