🏏India tour of Australia, 2025: Australia vs India, 1st ODI Perth🏏

🏏India tour of Australia:Australia vs India,1st ODI Perth🏏

Can India end years of frustration on Aussie soil when the two titans clash in Perth for the 1st ODI of the 2025 series?

Australia have ruled their home in recent times - the last time India won an ODI series in Australia was in 2018-19 when they took that three-match rubber 2-1. Since then, the Aussies have generally held sway in home conditions.

Now, India come in with the air of change - Shubman Gill starts his stint as ODI captain, and the return of stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli adds much-needed experience to India’s top order.

Their recent performances, especially in the Champions Trophy, have shown they can bring consistency under pressure, and their pace attack - Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, and Prasidh Krishna looks ready to rip into Australia’s batters early in the innings.

On the other hand, the hosts will feel the pinch with Pat Cummins still recovering from a back injury, while Cameron Green has been ruled out of the series and key names like Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, and Adam Zampa are unavailable for the opener, leaving some gaps to fill. Marnus Labuschagne, drafted in as Green’s replacement after a prolific domestic run, will look to anchor the innings, while the onus will be on Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, and Matthew Short to lead from the front with their attacking approach. Despite the absentees, Australia still possess a threatening pace attack, with Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood spearheading the new ball assault and Nathan Ellis adding deceptive variations at the death.

With both first-choice keepers sidelined, Josh Philippe has a golden opportunity to prove his credentials behind the stumps and with the bat. Perth’s fast, bouncy wicket demands respect; whoever survives the new ball and navigates early movement will likely dominate.

With history, momentum, and pride on the line, expect high intensity, early fireworks, and plenty of drama in this opener - a match that could set the series on fire.

Australia (AUS) will host India (IND) in the first ODI of a three-match series on Sunday, October 19, in Perth. The series will consist of three ODIs, followed by five T20Is.

Australia has had a disappointing campaign in the 50-over format this year, including a 2-1 series loss to South Africa. They faced a defeat the last time they faced India in the format, losing the Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final. The hosts will look to put the setbacks behind them, regroup, and start the home ODI series on a positive note.

Perth Stadium — Pitch Report

The Perth Stadium generally favours pacers, offering extra bounce that can challenge batters. The batters must be cautious while attempting big shots as the extra bounce increases the likelihood of edges. Spinners typically receive minimal assistance from the pitch, so they will need to bowl with control and patience to be effective.

AUS vs IND — Probable Playing 11s

Australia

Mitchell Marsh (C), Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, Josh Phillippe (WK), Cooper Connolly, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Ellis, Ben Dwarshuis

India

Shubman Gill (C), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (VC), KL Rahul (WK), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh.

AUS vs IND — Probable Best Performers of the Match

Probable Best Batter — Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma. (Photo source: BCCI)

Former Indian captain Rohit Sharma could be the key batter in this clash. With captaincy duties now handed to Shubman Gill, Rohit will have the freedom to play his natural attacking game. The experienced top-order batter, well-versed in ODI cricket, is particularly comfortable on Australian pitches and has the ability to dominate bowlers with ease.

Probable Best Bowler — Nathan Ellis

Australian right-arm pacer Nathan Ellis could be the key bowler in this clash. While his ODI performances so far have been inconsistent, he has the potential to deliver a match-defining spell against India in the opening fixture. His 10-over quota, especially in the death overs, will be crucial in building pressure and containing the opposition.

Here are the Predictions for the India Tour of Australia 2025, 1st ODI Match - Australia vs India, to be played on the 19th of October at the Perth Stadium, Perth.

Match Prediction

Australia v India

Australia to win 55%

45% India

Ground Stat:

Average 1st Innings Total at Perth Stadium (ODI's) - 172

Average 2nd Innings Total at Perth Stadium (ODI's) - 171

Current Form Australia:

Australia are currently placed at the 3rd position on Men's ODI Team Rankings with a rating of 106.

When it comes to ODI's, Australia aren't performing to their potential. They have recently lost a 3 Match ODI Series against South Africa by 2-1. In the Champions Trophy, they lost to India and failed to qualify for the Final.

Australia wouldn't start as favorites even though the series is played in their home conditions. They will have to bring out their A game in order to challenge a strong Indian side.

Players to look out for:

1. Travis Head - If he gets going in the upcoming matches, Australia will have a decent chance to dominate India in ODI's. He will be the key factor for Australia in the upcoming matches.

2. Nathan Ellis - He is highly skilled fast bowler, who has plenty of variations in his bowling arsenal. Ellis is expected to be amongst the wickets in the upcoming matches.

Current Form India:

India are currently placed at the 1st position on Men's ODI Team Rankings with a rating of 124.

When it comes to ODI's, India are in an extraordinary form. They last played in the ICC Champions Trophy, which they won comfortably.

India are the strongest ODI side in world cricket and they are expected to dominate Australia throughout the ODI Series.

Players to look out for:

1. Shreyas Iyer - He looked in superb form against Australia A side recently. Iyer has good record in Australian conditions and he is expected to score plenty of runs in the series.

2. Arshdeep Singh - On Australian pitches, Arshdeep Singh will be very potent with the ball. He can move the ball both ways and keep the batters guessing.

Cricket Match Predictions* - PrePlay

Who will win the toss?– Australia

Who will win?- India

Top Batter (Runs Scored) – Matthew Renshaw (Australia), Shreyas Iyer (India)

Top Bowler (Wickets taken) - Nathan Ellis (Australia), Arshdeep Singh (India)

Most Sixes – Mitchell Owen (Australia), Dhruv Jurel (India)

Player of the Match- Shreyas Iyer (India)

Team Scores Batting first – India 260+, Australia 250+

The ODIs have generated a buzz as it is Rohit and Kohli's first international outing after India's Champions Trophy triumph in March. The future of the two stalwarts has become a subject of intense speculation especially after Gill's elevation to ODI captaincy.

Both of them have already retired from Tests and T20 Internationals but are believed to be keen on continuing at least till the 2027 ODI World Cup.

Gill, who also leads the Test side, has been supportive of the idea in his media interactions since taking over the ODI reins.

"The experience that both of them have and the matches that they have won for India, there are very few players who have won so many matches for India...players who have such skills and qualities with this experience are very few," Gill said.

"There are very few players in the world who have so much skill, quality and experience. So, in that sense, yes," he had stated about the duo's 2027 prospects during a recent Test series win over the West Indies at home.

India vs Australia Head-to-Head stats in ODI cricket

Total matches: 158

Australia won: 84

India won: 58

Tie/No result: 10

This series marks the beginning of a new era for India in the 50-over format, with Shubman Gill officially taking over the reins from Rohit Sharma as the ODI captain. Adding to the excitement, Indian fans will finally see the return of senior pros Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the playing 11 for the first time since lifting the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai.

Gill steps into the role on the back of a successful home Test series win against the West Indies, and will be supported by newly named vice-captain Shreyas Iyer. Their presence is expected to bring experience and balance to a relatively young squad that also includes key names like KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and all-rounder Axar Patel.