Skipper Mitchell Marsh anchored the chase beautifully as Australia beat India by seven wickets in the rain-affected first ODI to take the lead in the three-match series in Perth Sunday.

Sent in, India scored 136 for nine after the contest was reduced to a 26-over-a-side game after rain interrupted proceedings for the third time, with the visitors struggling at 52 for four in 16.4 overs.

Set a revised target of 131 under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method, Australia completed the task in 21.1 overs, with Marsh 46 not out off 52 balls emerging as the top-scorer.

Wicketkeeper Josh Philippe chipped in with a brisk 29-ball 37 to swing the game Australia’s way.

Axar Patel (31 off 38 balls) and KL Rahul (38 off 31) gave momentum to India’s innings after resumption, before debutant Nitish

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