The much-awaited return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to India’s ODI lineup didn’t quite script the fairytale fans had hoped for, as Australia outclassed India in the series opener at Perth.
The toss curse continued for India — their 16th straight loss in ODIs — with Australia electing to field first. However, the game was marred with rains that stopped the game at least four times. Eventually the match resumed and the overs were reduced to 26.
As the drizzle turned into a downpour, play halted and the tension eased. Cameras captured a lighter side of the Indian camp. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill were caught on camera sharing popcorn and laughter inside the dressing room. The video showed serious discussion over pitch conditions turning into a candid exchange with a popcorn tub.
Humko itna dara kar khud popcorn kha rahe ho Rohit Bhai😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/p7R5G8wbYA
— 𝒐𝒙𝒚𝒈𝒆𝒏⁴⁵ (@TheHitmanGirlX) October 19, 2025
Earlier in the game…
The pace duo of Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc made the most of the lively Perth pitch, dismantling India’s top order in no time. Rohit fell to a sharp, rising delivery from Hazlewood, while Kohli — chasing a wide one from Starc — was dismissed for a duck, his first in 30 ODI innings on Australian soil.
Shubman Gill looked promising with a few crisp boundaries but was soon trapped leg before. Together, the top three managed just 18 runs, India’s lowest top-order total in an ODI since the 2019 World Cup semifinal against New Zealand, as per ESPNcricinfo.
