Shubman Gill reflects on tough Perth loss: “A Lot of Learnings and Positives Despite the Defeat”
India captain Shubman Gill admits early wickets and rain interruptions cost his team in the 1st ODI vs Australia, but says there were positives to take away.
Shubman Gill (Image | BCCI on X)
Last Updated: 05.24 PM, Oct 19, 2025
India’s tour of Australia began with a rain-affected 1st ODI at Perth Stadium that exposed early frailties but also offered positives for the visitors. Batting first in a truncated 26-over innings, India were dismissed for 136/9, losing three key wickets inside the powerplay and never really assembling the partnerships needed on top of tricky conditions. Australia chased the revised DLS target of 131 for the loss of 3 wickets, reaching it in 21.1 overs to take a 1–0 lead in the three-match series.
After the game India’s skipper Shubman Gill gave a measured assessment: “When you lose three wickets in the powerplay, you're always trying to play a catch-up game (on the rain delays and the poor start). A lot of learnings for us from this game and a lot of positives for us as well. We were defending 130 and we took the game, not till the very end, but pretty deep. We were very satisfied with that. We are very fortunate (on the crowd support). The fans turned up in huge numbers and hopefully they'll be able to cheer us on at Adelaide as well.”
Top-order collapse, lower-order fight and Australia’s composed chase
India’s top order imploded early, Rohit Sharma fell for 8, Virat Kohli was dismissed for a duck, and Gill himself managed only 10, leaving India precariously placed at 25/3 inside the powerplay. The visitors found some resistance through KL Rahul (38) and Axar Patel (31) who steadied the ship and nudged the total past 130 in a shortened inning. Josh Hazlewood led the Australian bowling with 2/20, supported by Mitchell Starc (1/22) and others who kept the pressure on throughout India’s innings.
Chasing a modest DLS target, Australia’s response was calm and efficient. Josh Philippe (37) provided the quick impetus while Mitchell Marsh’s unbeaten 46 anchored the chase, and contributions from the middle order held India at bay. India’s bowlers had moments, but could not force sustained collapses, and the home side closed out the win with overs to spare.
Gill’s remarks underline the balance of the match: early mistakes proved costly, yet the fight shown when defending a low total and the backing of travelling fans were clear positives. India will need to iron out their powerplay vulnerabilities and find more consistent starts from their senior batters ahead of the second ODI in Adelaide.
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