The India vs Australia 1st ODI 2025 at Perth Stadium marks the beginning of an exciting new ODI series between two cricketing powerhouses. Both teams are eager to start strong, but India’s team selection tells a clear story: the selectors have chosen experience and reliability over youthful energy. Moreover, with familiar names returning and a few surprises in the lineup, the Men in Blue are ready to test themselves in challenging Australian conditions.
India vs Australia 1st ODI Playing XI
| Role | Player |
| Captain / Opener | Shubman Gill (c) |
| Opener | Rohit Sharma |
| No. 3 | Virat Kohli |
| Vice-Captain / Middle Order | Shreyas Iyer (vc) |
| Middle Order / All-rounder | Axar Patel |
| Wicketkeeper | KL Rahul (wk) |
| Batting All-rounder | Nitish Kumar Reddy |
| Bowling All-rounder | Washington Sundar |
| Fast Bowlers | Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj |
| Spinner | Kuldeep Yadav |
This lineup reflects India’s intention to rely on experience in tough overseas conditions. The bench includes Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Harshit Rana, and Prasidh Krishna, all of whom could get a chance later in the series.
The return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli adds a strong sense of leadership and calm to the batting order. Shubman Gill, India’s young captain, will aim to lead from the front, supported by his experienced teammates who know how to handle high-pressure matches.
Experience Leads the Way
India’s management clearly believes that experience holds the key to success in Australia. Facing quality fast bowlers on bouncy pitches demands technique, patience, and game awareness qualities that senior players like Rohit and Kohli possess in abundance.
The top three, Gill, Rohit, and Kohli, form a rock-solid foundation. Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul strengthen the middle order, while all-rounders like Axar Patel and Washington Sundar add much-needed balance. Their ability to contribute with both bat and ball could be a deciding factor in this match.
Without Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja, India has had to reshuffle its all-round options. Nitish Kumar Reddy, who impressed in the IPL, brings energy and utility, while Washington Sundar’s off-spin provides control in the middle overs.
Perth Pitch and Playing Conditions
The Perth Stadium pitch has always been known for pace, bounce, and early movement. Fast bowlers are likely to dominate the opening overs, especially under cloudy skies. Batters will need to play cautiously at the start and look to build partnerships once the ball softens.
Similarly, according to reports, the pitch offers little for spinners early on, but wrist spinners like Kuldeep Yadav can exploit the bounce as the match progresses. Bowlers who can hit the right lengths will find success here. The weather forecast suggests slightly overcast conditions with mild temperatures, perfect for swing bowling. Winning the toss and opting to bowl first could be a tactical advantage.
Key Matchups to Watch
- Rohit Sharma vs Mitchell Starc: A classic battle between experience and left-arm pace. Rohit’s ability to counter swing will be crucial.
- Virat Kohli vs Pat Cummins: Kohli’s impeccable technique will be tested by Cummins’ bounce and accuracy.
- Kuldeep Yadav vs Steve Smith: The duel between spin and skill could define the middle overs.
- Arshdeep Singh vs David Warner: Arshdeep’s early swing might challenge Warner’s aggressive intent.
These battles could shape the momentum of the match early on.
India’s Strategy and Challenges
India’s strategy focuses on maintaining composure and capitalizing on key moments. With experienced batters at the top and flexible all-rounders in the middle, the team aims to adapt quickly to changing match situations.
However, the approach carries some risks. Further, Young players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Harshit Rana bring energy and unpredictability qualities that might be missed in a long series. Moreover, the senior players will need to stay fit and maintain form across the series to justify the selectors’ faith in them.
Final Thoughts
The India vs Australia 1st ODI 2025 promises to be a thrilling contest between experience and aggression. Moreover, India’s decision to back seasoned players reflects a clear vision: start strong, stay composed, and let experience guide the way. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s return has already lifted the team’s morale, while young captain Shubman Gill hopes to lead India to a confident victory in Perth.
In the end, as the teams take the field, fans will eagerly watch whether experience can truly outweigh youth. A strong performance here could set the tone for the rest of the series and mark the beginning of a new era under Gill’s leadership.
