India managed 136 for nine in a rain-hit opening ODI against Australia on Sunday. Persistent showers forced multiple interruptions, eventually trimming the contest to 26 overs per side.

At 52 for four in 16.4 overs when rain stopped play for the third time, India’s innings looked weak. But once play resumed, KL Rahul (38 off 31) and Axar Patel (31 off 38) steadied the slide, stitching together a much-needed stand to lend the total some respectability. Debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy’s couple of maximums (19 off 11 balls) provided a late spark in an otherwise stuttering effort.

Returning to international cricket after seven months, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma couldn’t find rhythm, both falling cheaply in overcast conditions.

Kohli got out for an eight-ball duck to Mitchell Starc while Rohit

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