The Indian women’s cricket squad made a bold statement in Sydney, defeating Australia by 21 runs under DLS rules to claim the first T20I of their three-match tour. Electing to bowl, India capitalized on early breakthroughs to bundle out Australia for a modest 133 in 18 overs.
Openers departed with score on 27, setting a precarious tone. Litchfield and Perry countered with 41 runs before Perry’s 20-run knock ended at 68. The collapse was swift thereafter – last five wickets for 12 runs, despite Wareham’s 30.
Arundhati Reddy dominated with career-best 4/22, her swing and seam movement unplayable. Renuka Thakur and N. Charani grabbed two each, while Kranti Gaud and Deepti Sharma picked one apiece. Precision bowling left Australia shell-shocked.
In pursuit, openers Mandhana and Verma set the tone with 33-run stand in 4.1 overs. Verma smashed 21 off 11 before departing. India reached 50/1 in 5.1 overs when rain arrived, forcing abandonment. DLS awarded India a 21-run margin, Mandhana (16* off 17) and Rodrigues (9* off 3) not out.
Player of the Match Arundhati Reddy’s heroics propelled India to victory. As the series intensifies, this result reaffirms India’s rising stature in women’s T20 cricket.