After winning the toss, Australia elected to field first on a lively Perth surface, hoping to make the most of the early movement. India’s batting lineup, featuring the much-anticipated return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, failed to deliver the desired start. Rohit managed only 8 runs before edging behind, while Kohli’s stay was cut short for a duck, leaving the crowd stunned. Skipper Shubman Gill’s struggles continued as he scratched his way to a 10 off 18 deliveries before falling in the ninth over, putting India on the back foot at 27/3.
The Australian pacers, led by Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, maintained relentless pressure with disciplined bowling and sharp field placements. India could barely find gaps during the powerplay, accumulating runs mostly in singles. With wickets tumbling and the scoreboard crawling, Axar Patel and Shreyas Iyer were left with the responsibility to steady the innings and build a partnership.
Their efforts seemed to bear fruit immediately after the powerplay. On the first ball of the 11th over, Starc delivered a fuller ball outside off, which Axar elegantly drove into the vacant off-side region. Both batters took off quickly, aware of the slow outfield, and pushed hard for what appeared to be three well-run runs.
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However, the celebration was short-lived as the on-field umpire decided to review the third run. The replay revealed a subtle but crucial detail — while completing the first run at the non-striker’s end, Axar’s bat had slipped after touching the crease, meaning he never technically crossed over. According to the rules, the run was invalidated.
As a result, the umpires corrected the total, reducing the runs scored on that ball from three to two. Though a minor adjustment on paper, it left Axar visibly frustrated and the commentators amused. The moment served as yet another reminder of how fine margins — even a stumble at the crease — can make a difference in modern-day cricket governed by precise technology.