Australia’s seven-wicket win in a rain-truncated opening ODI in Perth on Sunday (October 19, 2025) was indeed set up by taking wickets upfront but spinner Matthew Kuhnemann backed India to bounce back strongly after a heavy loss in the first game of the tour.

India were blown away as they could manage only 136 for nine in the first half which was marred by repeated rain interruptions here but it was the disappointing return of Rohit Sharma (8) and Virat Kohli (0) at the start of the game which set the tone in Australia’s favour.

The Optus Stadium saw Indian fans turning up in large numbers in support of the visiting side which had Rohit and Kohli playing their first international match since March this year, but their failures with the bat underlined an ordinary outing for India.

When asked if it felt like an away game and that Australia were able to silence the crowd, Kuhnemann told the media after the game, “Yeah, especially when you come up against a team like this when all their batters are world-class and legends of the game and so, especially to get wickets upfront, (it) makes a massive difference.”

Kuhnemann, however, backed India to come back strongly after the huge defeat in the series opener.

“I think they’ll come back real strong. Like I said, they’re a world-class team and it’s going to be a great series, With the one-dayers and the T20Is, it’s going to be awesome,” he said.

Kuhnemann, who made his mark with a tidy four-over spell in which he returned 2/26 accounting for Axar Patel (31) and Washington Sundar (10), credited his experience in T20 format for the performance.

“When we kept coming on and off, the one stage I didn’t think I was going to bowl. Even bowling at the end there, I sort of knew it was going to be a tough ask,” he said.

“But I’ve sort of been around this group now for a little while and especially the T20 side of things. I spent a lot of time the last six months on that sort of role in T20 bowling so it came handy today,” Kuhnemann added.

The left-arm spinner also credited his time spent with Australia limited-overs’ spinner Adam Zampa and assistant coach Daniel Vettori.

“Whenever you get a chance to travel as a team, it’s amazing. The success I’ve had over for a long time now is awesome. Whenever we get an opportunity to sort of play, you’ve got to jump at the opportunity. I absolutely love playing with this team and it was pretty special to get a win here,” he said.

“I’ve spent a lot of time with Zamps (Adam Zampa) for the last three months especially and working with Vettori. And, yeah, T20 career, even though it’s a one-day game, you’ve got to sort of be able to bowl from any over from one to 20, especially as a finger spinner.

“Always sort of learning off them boys and especially Zamps just being an excellent bowler for this team for a long time now,” he added.

Kuhnemann said the repeated rain interruptions that forced the players off the field for quite a few times during the first innings had an impact on the Australian fast bowlers.

“It was probably a bit more frustrating for the big quicks because they were in a good rhythm and bowling fast and getting the ball to nip and swing and everything,” he said.

“The way they bowled upfront was beautiful and then to come back out after a couple of rain breaks was really impressive,” Kuhnemann added.

Australia captain Mitchell Marsh on Saturday (October 18, 2025) said playing in “packed out stadiums” against India who will have Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli back in the ranks will be a “great experience” for his group.

With Australia’s focus fixated firmly on the Ashes starting next month, they will take on India across three ODIs and five T20Is starting with the 50-overs game in Perth on Sunday (October 19, 2025).

“Had the privilege of playing against them quite a lot over the journey,” Marsh told the media talking about playing against Rohit and Kohli.

“They’re obviously legends of the game, Virat is the greatest chaser ever in this format. I think you can see by the ticket sales that a lot of people want to come and watch them.”

“To see the stadium packed out against India, it’s going to be a great experience for our group,” he added.

Marsh said the series will be a high-scoring one against India.

“I believe it’s going to be a high scoring affair, but getting through the first 10 overs for both teams will be a challenge and maybe where the game’s won and lost,” he said.

Marsh said Matthew Short is set to bat at No 3 for Australia in the opening fixture.

“We know he opens for Victoria and Strikers and in T20 cricket around the world. But we see no difference opening the batting and No 3. We’re comfortable with him batting there,” he said.

Australia will be depleted for the opening game of the three-match ODI as the likes of Josh Inglis, Alex Carey and Cameron Green not available. Marsh said Green’s injury is “very minor” and his side is being cautious with it.

“He’s okay, it’s on the very, very minor end. It’s a cautious take on it but he’s all good,” Marsh said.

Australia are likely to hand debut to Mitchell Owen while Matt Renshaw is also set for a debut in the ODI format.

“Across the board in our white-ball teams over the last 12 month, we’ve seen a lot of guys get opportunities, so it always brings excitement to those guys. We just have to be really clear on their role and they will enjoy playing cricket for Australia,” he said.

The 33-year-old Marsh, however, downplayed his chances for selection in Australia’s squad for the Ashes.

“I’ve got tickets to day one and two. Haven’t asked the wife yet, so that’s about as much thought as I’ve given it,” he quipped.

India’s new ODI captain Shubman Gill says his bond with the Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli is as strong as ever despite contrary narratives floating on social media in recent weeks, insisting that he will not hesitate to approach the two stalwarts, if he is in a fix during a match.

Gill replaced highly successful Rohit as India’s new ODI skipper. The future of the two legends has become a matter of intense speculations since then. Gill’s first assignment is three-match series against Australia, starting in Perth on Sunday (October 19, 2025).

Standing on the banks on Swan river — quite an unusual setting for a pre-match media conference — Gill sought to dispel the doubts.

“A narrative is run on the outside but nothing has changed in my relationship with Rohit. He is very helpful whenever I feel I need to ask him anything, may be input on nature of the track,” Gill told media on the eve of the series-opener.

“I go and ask ‘What do you think? If you would have been leading what would you do?’ I have great equation with Virat bhai and Rohit bhai and they never hesitate in giving suggestions,” Gill said, seeking to clear the air about the misconception that the two seniors haven’t taken the decision well.

The 25-year-old skipper understands that these are “big shoes to fill” and he would need a lot of support from the two former skippers.

“I have had numerous conversations with Virat bhai and Rohit bhai on how to take team forward. What kind of culture they wanted to take the team forward, and those learnings and experience will help us.

“These are big shoes for me to fill in because of the legacy created by Mahi bhai (MS Dhoni), Virat bhai and Rohit bhai, so many experiences and learnings. The kind of experience and skill-set that they bring to the team is massive.”

In his growing up years when ODI cricket still ruled the hearts and minds of Indian fans, it was but natural that Gill grew up on a staple diet of hundreds scored by Kohli and Rohit.

So how would it be to lead them?

“Obviously, when I was kid, I used to idolise them for the game they played and hunger they had which inspired me. It is a big honour for me to lead such legends of the game.

“When I am in a difficult situation I wouldn’t shy away from getting any suggestions from them,” Gill said making it clear how he felt about the presence of the two seniors.

When questioned what specific traits would he like to pick from Rohit and Virat, Gill harped on “messaging and communication”.

“There are some things I observed and really liked as a player when I played under them. How they converse and what kind of messaging helped me get the best out of me when I played under them.

“That’s the kind of captain I would want to be where all my players feel secured, and the job they have to do and communications would be clear.”

Experience they say can’t be bought from a supermarket and that is where exactly the duo stands out.

“They have served Indian cricket for close to 20 years and I have learnt a lot when I played under them, the experience that they bring can’t be replicated, the runs that they have scored all over world.” On a personal front, Gill believes that more the responsibility entrusted upon him, better he gets as a player.

“I like when I am entrusted with extra responsibility. I thrive under pressure, my best game comes out. But when I bat, I think as a batter and then I take best decisions.

“As a batter, I try not to think like a skipper as then you take more pressure on yourself and you might end up losing freedom of playing your shots and lose the ‘X factor’.”