India Ladies made a commanding begin to their tour of Australia, clinching a 21-run win by way of the DLS methodology within the opening T20I in opposition to Australia Ladies on the iconic Sydney Cricket Floor. After opting to bowl first, the guests produced a medical bowling efficiency to bundle out the hosts for 133 in simply 18 overs earlier than rain interrupted India’s chase at 50/1 in 5.1 overs.
The match belonged to Arundhati Reddy, whose career-best spell dismantled Australia’s center order and earned her the Participant of the Match award.
Arundhati Reddy’s 4-fer rocks Australia
India’s determination to subject first paid early dividends as Renuka Thakur struck in her opening spell, eradicating Beth Mooney cheaply. Whereas Georgia Voll injected early momentum with a brisk 18 off 10 balls, and Phoebe Litchfield adopted it up with a fluent 26, Australia by no means really seized management.
Ellyse Perry briefly threatened with a quickfire 20 off 11 deliveries, peppering the boundary rope with 4 crisp fours. Nonetheless, simply because the hosts seemed to speed up, Reddy turned the tide dramatically.
The fitting-arm pacer delivered a sensational spell of 4 for 22 in her 4 overs, breaking partnerships at essential junctures. She dismissed Perry, Ashleigh Gardner, and Annabel Sutherland in fast succession, pushing Australia on the again foot. Shree Charani offered glorious assist with figures of two for 14, whereas Renuka remained economical with 2 for 14 from her 4 overs.
Georgia Wareham’s combating 30 off 19 balls supplied late resistance, however disciplined bowling ensured Australia have been bowled out for 133 in 18 overs — a complete that seemed barely under par on a batting-friendly SCG floor.
Additionally READ: Post-Sophie Devine era begins as New Zealand appoints a new all-format captain
Shafali Verma’s fireworks set the tone earlier than rain interruption
Chasing 134, India Ladies got here out with optimistic intent. Shafali Verma wasted no time asserting herself, smashing 21 off simply 11 balls, together with two towering sixes that surprised the house crowd. Her aggressive strokeplay instantly put stress on the Australian bowlers.
Smriti Mandhana performed the anchor’s function with a composed 16 off 17 balls, rotating strike neatly and discovering the gaps. Though Sophie Molineux managed to take away Shafali, Jemimah Rodrigues ensured there was no slowdown, hanging two boundaries in her speedy 9 off 3 balls.
With India racing to 50 for 1 in simply 5.1 overs, rain halted proceedings. After a prolonged delay and recalculation, India have been adjudged winners by 21 runs beneath the DLS methodology, because of their superior place on the time of interruption.
🌧️ RAIN DECIDES THE GAME IN SYDNEY!
India stroll away with a 21-run win (DLS methodology) within the 1st T20I.
No additional play doable after interruptions 🚨
Scorecard: https://t.co/kTq9f0t6gA#AUSWvsINDW #AUSWvINDW #indiawomen #australiawomen #cricket #India pic.twitter.com/j1Je8kmo3c
— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) February 15, 2026
Additionally READ: AUS-W vs IND-W, T20I Series: Broadcast, Live Streaming details – When and where to watch in India, Pakistan, Australia, USA & other countries
This text was first revealed at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times firm.
