Virat

Australia completed a comfortable seven-wicket win in a rain-shortened first ODI against India in Perth, with Virat Kohli dismissed for a duck on his international return.

Damp conditions saw the match reduced to 26 overs-a-side, with India eventually posting 136-9 after their innings was halted for rain six times.

The visitors were plagued by regular wickets, with Rohit Sharma and Kohli, both playing their first international match since March, departing inside the powerplay, the latter for an eight-ball duck.

The dismissals of Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer saw India slip to 45-4 in the 14th over before KL Rahul, top-scoring with 38, rebuilt his side’s innings alongside Axar Patel (31) and Washington Sundar.

However, the latter’s exit in the 24th over sparked another flurry of wickets, with India losing 4-21.

Josh Hazlewood led the way with the ball, taking 2-20 from seven overs, with Mitchell Owen and Matthew Kuhnemann also taking two wickets.

Australia also lost two powerplay wickets – Travis Head and Matthew Short both dismissed for eight – but made light work of chasing their revised target of 131.

Mitchell Marsh anchored his side’s innings with an unbeaten 46 (52), sharing a 55-run third-wicket partnership with Josh Philippe (37 off 29) before seeing Australia over the line alongside ODI debutant Matt Renshaw (21* off 24) with 29 balls to spare.

The second ODI will take place in Adelaide on Thursday, 23 October.

Former captains Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have shown a “blueprint” for India’s future Test success, says new skipper Shubman Gill.

Batter Gill, 25, was announced as Rohit’s replacement on Saturday after the 38-year-old and modern great Kohli both retired from the format.

Kohli led India to a record 40 wins in 68 Tests while Rohit, who replaced him in 2022, has the next best win percentage as skipper.

“I have always been inspired by the greats and legends of Indian cricket,” Gill said.

“I have been very fortunate to play with so many of them.

“Both were contrasting in terms of their style but inspiring to see them work towards a common goal.”

Gill was appointed skipper ahead of bowler Jasprit Bumrah, who had served as Rohit’s vice-captain.

His first series in charge will be the highly-anticipated five-Test series in England which starts on 20 June.

“I’m looking forward for this exciting opportunity, and I think the upcoming series in England is going to be a very exciting one,” said Gill, who is captain of Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League.

“I believe in leading by example, not just by my performance but, off the field, by my discipline and hard work.

“As a captain, a leader should be able to know when to step in, but also when to give space to the players.

“Because everyone has had a different life and grown up differently, everyone has a different personality.”

India were unbeaten in home series throughout Kohli’s time as captain and had significant success away, including series wins in Australia and a 2-2 draw in England.

Under Rohit they reached the final of the 2023 World Test Championship, although they were beaten by Australia and their unbeaten run at home was ended by New Zealand last year.

“Virat was very aggressive and wanting to lead from the front,” Gill said.

“Rohit was also aggressive but you might not see that on his expression.

“He was someone calm and tactically very present. He was very communicative to the players.

“Rohit, Virat and Ashwin [retired off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin] have given us a blueprint on how to tour away from home and win matches and series.”