'That was a challenge to get through...': Mitchell Marsh after guiding Australia to emphatic win over India in ODI series opener

Mitchell Marsh led from the front and powered Australia to a dominant seven-wicket win over India in the rain-affected first ODI in Perth on October 19. Australia did wrap the match with 29 balls to spare but Marsh admitted they did feel the match was swinging around a little bit in the middle during the hosts' chase.

Mitchell Marsh lauds teammates after Australia's 7-wicket win over India

While chasing a revised target of 131, Australia lost three key wickets Travis Head (8), Matt Short (8) and Josh Phillipe (37). But Marsh (46) kept on holding Australia's fort and combined with the debutant Matt Renshaw (21) to sum up the chase in style.

"It was obviously swinging around a little bit, so that was a challenge to get through, but proud of the way our young guys took the game on," March, who was adjudged the player of the match, said at the post match presentation.

"It was [a strange game]. Weather played a part and big thanks to the fans for sticking around. Good to get a win. Always nice to win at home. I love playing here. [On the chase] It was obviously swinging around a little bit, so that was a challenge to get through, but proud of the way our young guys took the game on. [On the new look batting lineup] [Philippe] came in and made it easy! The young guys coming in, you want them to come in and enjoy. I said to the group that you don't get to play ODIs in front of big crowds often, so go out and enjoy," he added.

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The contest was heavily impacted by the weather, as four separate rain interruptions forced the game to be reduced to 26 overs per side. India struggled to a total of 136/9 in their allotted overs, which led to Australia's target being revised to 131 runs, calculated using the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method.

The foundation for the Australian win was laid by stand-in captain Marsh, who anchored the chase with an unbeaten 46 runs off 52 balls, decorated with two fours and three big sixes. Marsh was ably supported by wicket-keeper Josh Philippe, who chipped in with a brisk 37 runs off just 29 deliveries, including three fours and two sixes. They guided Australia to the target in 21.1 overs.

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Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma fail to fire on ODI return

Earlier in the day, Team India's top order collapsed against the rival bowlers. Star veterans Rohit Sharma (8) and Virat Kohli (0), along with Shubman Gill (10) and Shreyas Iyer (11), all failed to make an impact. India's modest total was only possible thanks to crucial middle-order contributions from KL Rahul (38), Axar Patel (31), and a late surge from Nitish Kumar Reddy (19*). The effective Australian bowling attack was led by Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitchell Owen, and Josh Hazlewood, who all claimed two wickets each.

Notably, this was India's first defeat in the ODIs in 2025. The Shubman Gill-led side will look to bounce back, when they lock horns with Australia again in the second ODI on October 23.