Despite losing, the Australia ODI can be termed as a success for India. In what was Men in Blue’s first 50-over series in 7 months, several questions were answered. With every match counting as preparation for the 2027 ODI World Cup, it was pertinent for India to test players, gauge where their old stars are, and determine the changes they need to make. After three matches, the visitors know more than they did before.
7 takeaways for India from 1st Australia ODI
Rohit-Kohli show they still belong
Rohit Sharma came back even better than anyone expected. After a 73-run knock in Adelaide, the Indian opener finished the series with an unbeaten 121-run knock in Sydney. He looked like a million bucks despite playing no competitive cricket since early June.
For Virat Kohli, the situation was a bit different. His back-to-back ducks made things interesting. Even Kohli admitted feeling nervous about scoring, but in the end, he too scored an unbeaten 74 to win the last match. Both showed they aren’t going anywhere just yet. Class is permanent, and their form was a matter of time.
Shubman Gill’s hit & miss ODI captaincy debut
Shubman Gill didn’t have the best of times in his maiden ODI series as India captain. He scored just 43 runs (10, 9, and 24). Part of this was his worrisome form. Since scoring that hundred against Bangladesh in the 2025 Champions Trophy, Gill hasn’t scored a fifty in his next 7 innings. He still averages 56.36 in the format, so it isn’t a major issue, but given how rare India plays ODIs now, such blips can be expected.
As for his captaincy, there weren’t many pointers. Picking Harshit Rana, considering the pitches, made sense. Similarly, playing Prasidh Krishna in the third ODI was the right choice. His bowling changes were much better here. Gill introduced the spinners late in Adelaide, but changed that in Sydney, where the spinners bowled 26 overs for 4 wickets.
Kuldeep Yadav’s non-selection still an issue
Kuldeep Yadav’s non-selection was perhaps the only big issue. Although Axar Patel and Washington Sundar did a fine job, they aren’t natural wicket-takers in the middle overs. This issue was highlighted in Adelaide. Although India got wickets, it didn’t look like they would break through.
He didn’t have a great impact in Sydney, but the point stands. His guile, ability to spin both ways, and being a rare left-arm wrist spinner make him a constant threat. But Gautam Gambhir and Gill preferred playing all-rounders instead and ended up losing the series.
Harshit Rana impresses with bat & ball
Harshit Rana got unfair criticism prior to the series. And he shut everyone up by ending as the wicket-taker on both sides. He used the pace and bounce to his advantage, troubling batters across the matches. He went astray quite a bit in the first two matches but ended with a 4-wicket haul in Sydney.
We had heard that Harshit had batting ability and for the first time, he showed them. His 24-run knock showed the management that they can go with him at number eight and play three frontline bowlers going forward.
Axar Patel justifies Ravindra Jadeja snub
Although Axar Patel wasn’t the highest wicket-taker, he was India’s most economical bowler of the series. Only Josh Hazlewood was better in terms of runs given when including bowlers who played all three matches. He was undeniably India’s best bowler of the series, particularly in terms of the control he provided and the trouble he caused the Australian batters.
Prior to the series, Chairman of Selectors Ajit Agarkar had stated that only one left-arm spinner was in their scheme of things. It was a clear indication that they valued Axar over Ravindra Jadeja. And Axar proved Agarkar wrong. He only got to bat twice, both times in tough situations, and ended with scores of 31 and 44.
In conditions that weren’t expected to suit him, Axar came out on top. With bat and ball. He was undoubtedly the biggest positive for India.
Nitish Reddy, not ready
Nitish Kumar Reddy did show promise with the bat, but didn’t pass the test as a potential Hardik Pandya replacement. Nitish’s bowling isn’t anywhere close to Hardik’s at the moment. Nitish bowled just 5.1 overs in 2 matches and gave away 40 runs. His bowling skills didn’t translate to Australian pitches. He batted at number eight, which isn’t ideal for a batting all-rounder.
India’s 2nd/3rd pacer problem
Jasprit Bumrah is confirmed as India’s best pacer, but there’s an issue as to who the second and third pacers are after him. Mohammed Siraj’s skills outside the powerplay haven’t improved much. Arshdeep Singh was ineffective after the first 10 overs as well. Prasidh Krishna played one match and was disappointing. Harshit could play that Mohammed Shami role of taking wickets in the middle over, but it’s still early days.
