Perth: India’s star batter Virat Kohli endured a disappointing return to international cricket as he was dismissed for a duck in the first ODI against Australia at the Optus Stadium on Sunday.
The 36-year-old lasted just eight balls before falling to Mitchell Starc, marking the first time in his ODI career that he failed to score in Australia.
Kohli’s Return Ends in Early Dismissal
Australia captain Mitchell Marsh won the toss and opted to bowl first. Kohli came in after Rohit Sharma’s dismissal in the fourth over, but his stay at the crease was short-lived. Playing his first competitive game since the IPL 2025 final, the right-hander appeared rusty and tentative.
In the seventh over, Starc bowled a full delivery that tempted Kohli into an ambitious drive. The Indian batter got a thick outside edge, and Cooper Connolly took a stunning catch at backward point.
This was Kohli’s first-ever ODI duck in Australia in 30 innings. The left-arm pacer Starc also became just the second bowler, after James Anderson, to dismiss Kohli for a duck twice across formats.
India’s Top Order Struggles
India’s top three — Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli — collectively managed only 18 runs, their lowest total in an ODI since the 2019 World Cup semifinal against New Zealand.
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Rohit Sharma (8) edged a superb Josh Hazlewood delivery to the slips.
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Shubman Gill (10) fell down the leg side to Nathan Ellis on a loose ball.
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Kohli, playing his first ODI since the 2025 Champions Trophy, fell for 0.
This early collapse left India reeling inside the first 10 overs and put the middle order under immediate pressure.
High Expectations on Return
The match marked the first international appearance for both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli since leading India to their 2025 Champions Trophy win. With speculation surrounding their future in white-ball cricket, this ODI series against Australia carries extra significance.
India also handed a debut to Nitish Kumar Reddy, while Matthew Renshaw and Mitchell Owen made their ODI debuts for Australia.
