India Women started their Australia tour strongly, winning the first T20I against Australia Women by 21 runs using the DLS method at the Sydney Cricket Ground. After choosing to bowl first, India showcased a solid bowling performance, dismissing the hosts for 133 in just 18 overs before rain interrupted their chase at 50/1 in 5.1 overs.
Arundhati Reddy was the standout player, taking four wickets and earning the Player of the Match award.
Arundhati Reddy’s 4-for disrupts Australia
India’s decision to bowl first paid off quickly when Renuka Thakur took an early wicket by dismissing Beth Mooney. Although Georgia Voll started with a quick 18 runs off 10 balls and Phoebe Litchfield added a smooth 26, Australia struggled to gain control.
Ellyse Perry posed a brief threat with a fast 20 off 11 balls, hitting four boundaries. However, just as Australia started to build momentum, Reddy changed the game.
The right-arm pacer delivered an impressive spell, taking 4 wickets for 22 runs in four overs, breaking key partnerships. She dismissed Perry, Ashleigh Gardner, and Annabel Sutherland in quick succession, putting Australia under pressure. Shree Charani supported well with figures of 2 for 14, while Renuka also kept things tight with 2 for 14 in her four overs.
Georgia Wareham fought back with a late 30 runs off 19 balls, but disciplined bowling meant Australia was all out for 133 in 18 overs, a score that seemed below par on a good batting wicket.
Shafali Verma shines before rain delay
In their chase for 134, India Women started with a positive approach. Shafali Verma quickly made her mark, scoring 21 runs off just 11 balls, hitting two impressive sixes that caught the home crowd off guard. Her aggressive play put pressure on the Australian bowlers.
Smriti Mandhana played a steady role with 16 runs off 17 balls, smartly rotating the strike. Although Sophie Molineux took Shafali’s wicket, Jemimah Rodrigues kept the run rate up with two boundaries in her quick 9 off 3 balls.
With India at 50 for 1 in 5.1 overs, rain interrupted the match. After a significant delay and recalculation, India were declared winners by 21 runs under the DLS method due to their advantageous position when play was paused.
