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Arundhati Reddy's 4-22 Fires India to DLS Win Over Australia in 1st T20I

Seam-bowling all-rounder Arundhati Reddy delivered a match-winning spell of 4-22 to bowl Australia out for 133 in the first women's T20I in Sydney. In reply, India raced to 50/1 in 5.1 overs before heavy rain forced the players off the field, with the visitors declared winners by 21 runs via the DLS method. The victory gives India a 2-0 lead in the multi-format series after their earlier Test win. The teams will now travel to Canberra for the second T20I.

Key Points: India Beat Australia in Rain-Hit 1st T20I via DLS Method

  • Arundhati Reddy takes career-best 4-22
  • India win by 21 runs via DLS method
  • Shafali Verma & Smriti Mandhana provide flying start
  • Australia collapse after promising opening stand
  • Teams head to Canberra for second T20I
2 min read

1st T20I: Arundhati picks 4-22 as India beat Australia by 21 runs via DLS method

Arundhati Reddy's career-best 4-22 helps India secure a 21-run DLS victory over Australia in the opening women's T20I after rain in Sydney.

"Arundhati's four-fer ensured India dismissed Australia for just 133 in 18 overs. - Match Report"

Sydney, Feb 15

Seam-bowling all-rounder Arundhati Reddy picked her career-best figures of 4-22 as India claimed a 21-run victory over Australia via DLS method in the opening game of the multi-format series after rain curtailed play at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday.

Chasing 134, India raced to 50/1 in 5.1 overs before heavy showers forced the players to go off the field. With no resumption possible, the visitors were declared winners and take a 2-0 lead in the multi-format series.

Arundhati's four-fer ensured India dismissed Australia for just 133 in 18 overs. Georgia Wareham top-scored with 30 off 19 balls, while Phoebe Litchfield (26) and Ellyse Perry (20) made promising starts but failed to convert them into big scores.

Australia's innings faltered after a 41-run stand between Ellyse and Phoebe, before the hosts lost five wickets for 12 runs, leaving India firmly in control of the match. Renuka Singh Thakur and Sree Charani took two wickets each, while Deepti Sharma and Kranti Gaud picked a scalp apiece.

Openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana gave India a flying start in the chase by adding 50 runs in just over five overs. Though Shafali fell to Sophie Molineux's first ball as Australia's captain for 21 off 11 balls, India remained ahead on DLS calculations when rain intervened and eventually got the win.

The match marked Australia's first T20I under new Sophie, who was appointed to the role in January. The hosts made several changes, omitting vice-captain Tahlia McGrath, Megan Schutt and Grace Harris, while recalling Nicola Carey, who made a run-a-ball 12.

Annabel Sutherland, fresh from winning the Belinda Clark Award again, was surprisingly demoted to number eight and managed to make only three runs before being stumped off Renuka. The teams will travel to Canberra for the second T20I to be played at the Manuka Oval on Thursday.

Brief Scores: Australia 133 all out in 18 overs (Georgia Wareham 30, Phoebe Litchfield 26; Arundhati Reddy 4-22, Renuka Singh Thakur 2-14) lost to India 50/1 in 5.1 overs (Shafali Verma 21, Smriti Mandhana 16 not out) by 21 runs (via DLS method)

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Great win, but let's be honest, winning via DLS always feels a bit incomplete. We were clearly on top though - Shafali and Smriti's start was explosive! Arundhati's spell was the real match-winner.
A
Aman W
Australia collapsing from 41/0 to 53/5... that's some serious pressure bowling by our girls! Renuka and Sree Charani were excellent too. The bowling attack looks very balanced.
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Sarah B
Interesting to see Australia's new captain Sophie Molineux. Their team selection seemed a bit off, dropping key players like McGrath. India fully capitalized on that. Well played!
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Karthik V
The real story is the depth we're building. Arundhati stepping up, new players contributing... this is how you build a world-class team. On to Canberra! 💪
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Nisha Z
A small note: while the win is great, I hope the broadcast and coverage improves. Women's cricket deserves prime-time slots and better commentary, not just when they win big tournaments.

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