India emerged victorious in their T20 match against Australia by 21 runs via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method, taking an early 2-0 lead in the multi-format series. The match, which took place in Sydney, was heavily affected by rain, ultimately halting Australia’s batting efforts as they finished their innings at a mere 133 all out in just 18 overs.
Shafali Verma started strong for India, scoring 21 runs and hitting two sixes before being dismissed by new Australian captain Sophie Molineux off her very first delivery as skipper. India’s chase was well underway at 50-1 in the sixth over when play was interrupted by persistent rain. The weather conditions left Australia unable to capitalize on their innings after a promising start, eventually collapsing from 87-5 at the halfway point to 133 all out.
Arundhati Reddy was the standout bowler for India, claiming 4 wickets for just 22 runs, showcasing exceptional seam bowling. Georgia Wareham topped the Australian scorecard with 30 runs, demonstrating the struggles of the team’s batting lineup against India’s disciplined bowling attack.
With the match officially ruled in India’s favour under the DLS guidelines due to the rain, the visitors secured crucial points in the series, prompting speculation on the challenges that lie ahead for Australia and their new captain. Molineux faces a significant task in revitalizing her team’s morale and performance moving forward.
As the rain continued to fall in Sydney, many are left hopeful that the weather will clear up for the remainder of the series, allowing competitive cricket to take center stage once again. The Australian side, rich in talent and experience, will certainly look to rebound in the upcoming matches.