Sydney’s cricket faithful witnessed a stunning upset on Sunday as the Indian women’s team kicked off their three-match T20 series against Australia with a commanding 21-run victory under DLS rules. Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, India dismantled the hosts in a clinical display of pace and spin.
Australia’s innings crumbled early, losing both openers at just 27 runs. Phoebe Litchfield and Elise Perry stitched a 41-run stand for the third wicket, but Perry’s departure for 20 off 68 runs triggered a collapse. The last five wickets tumbled for a mere 12 runs, with the innings folding at 133 in 18 overs. Georgia Wareham topped the scores with 30.
Arundhati Reddy was the wrecker-in-chief, claiming 4-22 in her four overs – her career-best T20 figures. Renuka Thakur (2 wickets), N. Charani (2), Kranti Gaud, and Deepti Sharma chipped in with one each, ensuring Australia never recovered.
Chasing 134, India’s openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma blazed to 33 in 4.1 overs before rain interrupted play. Shafali fell for a brisk 21 off 11, but India raced to 50/1 in 5.1 overs. Persistent showers forced the umpires to call off the match, awarding India a 21-run win by DLS.
Mandhana (16* off 17) and Jemimah Rodrigues (9* off 3) remained unbeaten. Reddy’s match-winning spell earned her Player of the Match honors, signaling India’s intent in this high-stakes series.