Reddy’s Four-For Sinks Australia as India Seal Rain-Hit Opener at SCG

India struck an early blow in the series, rolling Australia for 133 before sealing a 21-run DLS victory in a rain-truncated first T20I at the SCG.

In the opening game of the Sophie Molineux captaincy era, Australia lost their last eight wickets for 65 to be bowled out in 18 overs — only the sixth time they have been dismissed in the first innings of a women’s T20I. Arundhati Reddy was the chief destroyer with a career-best 4 for 22, while Renuka Singh set the tone with a superb powerplay spell.

Australia appeared well placed at 68 for 2 after seven overs, but Reddy triggered a collapse. She removed Ellyse Perry and Phoebe Litchfield in quick succession, while Ashleigh Gardner also fell cheaply as India ripped through the middle order. Georgia Wareham’s 30 proved the top score, but regular wickets stalled any late surge.

Renuka’s control up front proved equally decisive. After conceding early boundaries, she responded with two miserly overs and the key wicket of Beth Mooney, as Australia struggled to build sustained momentum.

Chasing 134, India started briskly through Shafali Verma, who launched a six in the opening over. Although Molineux struck with her first ball as captain to dismiss Shafali, India raced to 50 for 1 by the end of the fifth over — the minimum required for a result — just as rain intensified.

With India comfortably ahead on DLS when play was halted, the visitors claimed a morale-boosting victory and moved within one win of only their second bilateral T20I series triumph on Australian soil.