In the first ODI between India and Australia at the Optus Stadium, Perth, Shreyas Iyer was dismissed for just 11 runs. Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood capitalized on Iyer’s vulnerability against short balls, striking again to claim his wicket.
Gautam Gambhir Demonstrates Shreyas Iyer’s Short-Ball Dismissal
Iyer’s dismissal came on the second delivery of the 14th over. Hazlewood bowled a short ball that bounced back of a length. Iyer attempted to glance it but ended up edging it to wicketkeeper Josh Philippe, who made an easy catch.
This was not an isolated occurrence. Iyer has struggled with short balls in the past, and this dismissal marked the seventh time Hazlewood had successfully dismissed him across all formats.
Coach’s Analysis
Gautam Gambhir, India’s head coach, was seen mimicking Iyer’s dismissal, possibly discussing the batter’s weaknesses with batting coach Sitanshu Kotak. Their discussion briefly shifted as they noticed the cameras filming them.
Match Overview
Australia’s captain, Mitchell Marsh, won the toss and chose to bowl first. The match was heavily disrupted by rain, leading to a shortened format of 32 overs for each side. Notably, this ODI also marked the debut of Nitish Kumar Reddy for India, along with Matthew Renshaw and Mitchell Owen for Australia.
Both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli faced difficulties upon their return to international cricket, scoring only 8 and 0 runs respectively. Additionally, Shubman Gill struggled, bowled down the leg side by Nathan Ellis. This ODI was significant as it was the first international match for both Rohit and Kohli since India’s Champions Trophy victory in March 2025.
- Match Date: October 19, 2025
- Venue: Optus Stadium, Perth
- Indian Vice-Captain: Shreyas Iyer
- Key Players: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill
- Australia’s Key Bowler: Josh Hazlewood
This first ODI of the three-match series highlighted India’s batting challenges, especially against short deliveries, as Iyer’s struggle became a focal point of discussion among the coaching staff. The aim now for India will be to address these issues in upcoming matches.
