Kohli registers first duck in Australia as India struggle to 136/9 in rain-hit ODI

PERTH: Virat Kohli’s first-ever duck on Australian soil and Rohit Sharma’s early dismissal summed up India’s dismal batting effort as they laboured to 136 for nine in a rain-affected first ODI against Australia on Sunday.

The much-anticipated comeback of Kohli and Rohit lasted a combined 22 balls, reflecting India’s inability to build momentum in a game reduced to 26 overs per side due to persistent rain.He played a sumptuous straight drive off Mitchell Starc, reminiscent of his prime, but soon fell to Josh Hazlewood, whose steep bounce took the edge of Rohit’s bat to debutant Matthew Renshaw at second slip.The senior batters now face increasing scrutiny and allegedly must deliver substantial contributions in the upcoming ODIs at Adelaide and Sydney to show they still have the hunger for a prolonged international journey.

Gill looked assured early on but was dismissed attempting a casual flick off Nathan Ellis, the ball drifting down the leg side and caught by wicketkeeper Josh Philippe. Shreyas Iyer, who played a fluent square cut off Hazlewood, met a similar fate when another rising delivery cramped him for room, resulting in an edge to Philippe, leaving India at 45 for four in the 14th over.India finally found some stability through a 39-run stand between Axar Patel (31) and KL Rahul (38 off 30 balls). Patel’s resistance ended when spinner Matthew Kuhnemann induced an edge.

Rahul was India’s standout performer, negotiating the bounce with composure. His straight drive and pull off Ellis in successive deliveries were among the few highlights of the innings. Once the spinners came on, Rahul shifted gears, launching Matthew Short for two consecutive sixes. Rahul and Washington Sundar added 30 runs for the sixth wicket, but the limited number of overs curtailed India’s acceleration in the closing stages.

Kohli walked in to an even bigger roar, but the familiar ODI dominance was allegedly missing. A tentative prod outside the off-stump off Starc hinted that his well-documented weakness still persists.

Australia, electing to bowl first under overcast skies, capitalised on the extra bounce on the Optus Stadium pitch. Rohit (8) opened the innings alongside new captain Shubman Gill to loud cheers from the Perth crowd but managed to stay at the