Ruthless India Blow Away Australia Women in Rain-Hit T20I Opener at Sydney

India women beat Australia women in 1st T20I. [Source @bcci/x.com]

India Women outclassed Australia Women in a rain-affected 1st T20I by 21 runs (DLS method). Producing a convincing all-round performance, they secured victory at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday, February 15, to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Here, we take a look at the complete highlights of the first T20I between India Women and Australia Women as the action unfolded in Sydney.

Perry and Litchfield turn the tide after early blows from India

After being sent in to bat, Australia Women had a shaky start as Renuka Singh and Kranti Goud struck early. They removed Beth Mooney and Georgia Voll early in the powerplay, putting the visitors under pressure. India began confidently, keeping things tight and not allowing Australia to settle in the first few overs.

At number three, Phoebe Litchfield had a slow and scratchy start, struggling to time the ball. But Ellyse Perry changed the mood quickly. She attacked from the very beginning, playing bold strokes and shifting the momentum back towards Australia with calm authority and smart shot selection.

Once Litchfield found her rhythm, the left-hander began playing her shots freely. Together with Perry, she took on the Indian bowlers and pushed Australia to 49 by the end of the powerplay. The pressure grew further when they smashed 19 runs in the seventh over, putting India firmly on the back foot.

Arundhati Reddy sparks collapse as Perry-Litchfield stand perishes

Australia looked set to fly just after the powerplay, with boundaries flowing freely as Litchfield and Perry dominated. India, searching for a breakthrough, brought on Arundhati Reddy, and she delivered instantly. The right-arm pacer removed Perry in her first over, giving India much-needed relief and shifting the momentum.

Reddy later returned to claim her second wicket, in the form of Litchfield, pushing Australia onto the back foot. Ashleigh Gardner had a role to reconstruct the innings but failed to make an impact, falling to Deepti Sharma. Australia slipped to 87 for five at the halfway mark, losing control after a strong start.

Australia never recovered as Arundhati’s four-for put India in command

With Australia five down and in deep trouble, Georgia Wareham and Nicola Carey tried to shift the momentum with some quick runs. Just as Australia looked to rebuild, Arundhati Reddy returned and dismissed the dangerous Wareham at a crucial stage.

From that moment, Australia never truly recovered. India Women kept striking at regular intervals and bowled them out for 133. Reddy finished with four wickets, leading the charge, while Shree Charani and Renuka Singh Thakur supported well, picking up two wickets each while keeping things tight.

India seal DLS victory after flying start in rain-hit chase

Chasing 134, Shafali Verma gave India a flying start, attacking early in the powerplay. She smashed 21 off just 10 balls before getting out, but the early momentum was firmly set. India stayed positive, knowing rain was around and the DLS score would matter.

Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues kept the scoring rate high as clouds gathered. India were ahead on the DLS chart when rain arrived in the final over of the powerplay. Play never resumed, and India sealed the win comfortably through the DLS method.