Overview:
Australia, meanwhile, are looking to bounce back after a string of disappointing results. They have lost their last three ODI series, which included home defeats against South Africa and Pakistan, and an away loss against Sri Lanka.
India begin their three-match ODI series against Australia with the first encounter set to be held at the Optus Stadium in Perth on October 19, 2025. The series is followed by five T20 internationals as part of India’s tour of Australia.
This clash is especially significant for Indian cricket as Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli return to action for the first time since the ICC Champions Trophy Final. Both players retired from T20 internationals after India’s 2024 T20 World Cup triumph and also stepped away from Test cricket. Now, they will be focusing solely on ODIs, with the aim of shaping India’s next big success in the fifty-over format.
Australia, meanwhile, are looking to bounce back after a string of disappointing results. They have lost their last three ODI series, which included home defeats against South Africa and Pakistan, and an away loss against Sri Lanka. Captain Mitchell Marsh and his men will hope the familiar pace-friendly conditions of Perth allow them to rediscover their rhythm.
Overview of the Match
India’s powerful top order led by Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be up against Australia’s fiery pace attack featuring Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Ellis. The contrast between India’s experience in batting and Australia’s world-class bowling could make this match an early series decider.
Optus Stadium is renowned for its pace and bounce, often reminding fans of the old WACA Ground nearby. The conditions are expected to test both batters and bowlers, offering an even contest that will depend on adaptability.
This is the first of three ODIs, and both teams will want to start the series positively to set the tone for the remainder of the tour.
India ODI Squad 2025
Shubman Gill (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (Vice Captain), Axar Patel, KL Rahul (Wicketkeeper), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Dhruv Jurel (Wicketkeeper), Yashasvi Jaiswal
Australia ODI Squad 2025
Mitchell Marsh (Captain), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Owen, Josh Philippe, Matthew Renshaw, Matthew Short, Mitchell Starc
Probable XI – India
Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (C), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (VC), KL Rahul (WK), Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh
Probable XI – Australia
Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh (C), Matthew Short, Matthew Renshaw, Josh Philippe (WK), Mitchell Owen, Cooper Connolly, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Matthew Kuhnemann
Optus Stadium, Perth – Key Details of the Stadium
Optus Stadium, located in the Burswood suburb of Perth, Western Australia, is a world-class multi-purpose stadium with a seating capacity of approximately 60,000, expandable up to 65,000 for rectangular sports. It officially opened on January 21, 2018, and is the third-largest stadium in Australia after the Melbourne Cricket Ground and Stadium Australia. The stadium hosts a variety of sports including Australian Football League (AFL), cricket (Big Bash League and international matches), soccer, rugby league and union, as well as concerts and entertainment events. It serves as home to West Coast Eagles and Fremantle Dockers (AFL teams) and the Perth Scorchers (BBL cricket team).
The stadium boasts a “fans-first” design philosophy with modern facilities such as the largest super screens in Australia, over 1000 TV screens, full 5G coverage, and premium hospitality options. The architecture is acclaimed internationally, having won awards like the Most Beautiful Sports Facility in the World in 2019 and Venue of the Year at the Stadium Business Awards in 2022. The pitch uses a drop-in system, generally favoring fast bowlers early in matches with pace and bounce, but becoming batting-friendly later in the game.
What is the Pitch Like at Optus Stadium, Perth?
The pitch at Optus Stadium in Perth is renowned for its hard and bouncy nature, making it ideal for fast bowlers who benefit from consistent pace and bounce. It tends to favor bowlers initially, especially pacers, with the ball carrying well off the pitch due to the live grass on the surface. Batting is typically more advantageous in the first innings, with teams often choosing to bat first as the pitch usually offers good batting conditions before it begins to slow down slightly.
The pitch exhibits variable bounce which can challenge even the best batters, particularly in the morning sessions when moisture and grass on the pitch assist seamers. The surface has been curated to resemble the famous WACA ground nearby, known for its pace and bounce, though without the deep cracks that WACA often develops. As the match progresses, the pitch tends to slow down, allowing spinners and cutters to become effective.
Weather conditions in Perth, typically warm and dry, further enhance the characteristics of this fast and bouncy surface. Overall, the pitch provides an enticing contest between bat and ball, rewarding skillful bowling early on and stroke play later in the innings.
Key Stats at Optus Stadium, Perth
In One Day Internationals, the highest team total recorded at Optus Stadium is 259 all out by England against Australia. The lowest team total is 140 all out by Australia against Pakistan. The average first innings score at this venue is 172, while the average second innings score is 171, suggesting that matches here are generally low to medium scoring compared to other Australian grounds.
India has played Test cricket at this venue, with Virat Kohli scoring a memorable century in 2018. However, India’s overall record at the stadium has been tough, with no Test victories in Perth so far. The conditions at Optus Stadium tend to favor pace bowling, with extra bounce and carry making it challenging for visiting batters.
Australia has traditionally enjoyed strong support and success here, with the stadium often proving to be a fortress. The stats underline the venue’s nature as a ground where bowlers can dominate if they exploit the conditions early on.
AUS vs IND: Weather Forecast – Will Rain Play a Role?
The weather forecast for the Australia vs India 1st ODI at Optus Stadium, Perth, on October 19, 2025, indicates a slight possibility of rain that could influence the match. There is around a 40 to 60 percent chance of light showers during the day, with cloudy skies expected. Humidity levels will hover around 60 to 67 percent, and temperatures are predicted to be mild, with highs of around 18°C.
These conditions could favor fast bowlers early in the match, offering swing and seam movement due to the overcast skies. Rain showers may cause interruptions or short delays, potentially impacting team strategies. The pitch traditionally offers lively bounce and assistance to pacers at the start, but it tends to settle and become more favorable for batting as the game goes on. The team winning the toss might prefer to bowl first to take advantage of the early conditions.
AUS vs IND: Pitch Advantage for Which Side?
The Optus Stadium surface is likely to give Australia an early advantage. Their pace trio of Starc, Hazlewood and Ellis are tailor-made for the conditions, capable of exploiting the bounce and movement. However, India’s experience in batting with Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill could balance the scales, especially once the ball loses its shine and batting becomes easier.
India’s fast bowlers, including Siraj and Arshdeep Singh, also have the skills to use the Perth pitch effectively. The contest could therefore hinge on which side handles the early overs better. If India’s top order weathers the new ball, they can put Australia under pressure. But if Australia’s quicks strike early, the hosts will hold the upper hand.
FAQs – Pitch Report for Optus Cricket Stadium, Australia
Q1: What is the pitch report for Optus Cricket Stadium, Australia?
The pitch is hard, bouncy and fast, favoring pace bowlers early. It becomes better for batting as the innings progress, though it slows down slightly in later overs to assist spin.
Q2: What is Aus and Ind’s record at Optus Stadium, Perth?
India have never won a Test match at Optus Stadium, with Virat Kohli’s century in 2018 being their standout performance. Australia, on the other hand, have maintained a strong record here, often using the pace and bounce to dominate visiting teams.