India defeated Australia by 21 runs under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method in the rain-hit first Women’s T20 International on Sunday, bundling out the hosts for 133 before weather halted the chase with India well ahead of the par score.

Led by a superb spell from Arundhati Reddy (4/22), India were clinical with the ball after being put in to field. Australia were dismissed with two overs to spare, unable to capitalise on brisk starts from their top order.

Australia raced to 22 in 2.2 overs before Renuka Singh induced a leading edge from Beth Mooney (5). Georgia Voll (18) fell soon after, edging Kranti Gaud behind to Richa Ghosh.

Ellyse Perry (20 off 11) and Phoebe Litchfield (26 off 19) rebuilt with a 41-run stand, threatening to shift momentum. But Arundhati struck at a crucial juncture, aided by a brilliant diving catch from captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who ran back to complete a sharp chance.

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India tightened the screws thereafter, removing Ashleigh Gardner (4) and Litchfield in quick succession to reduce Australia to 80 for five. Georgia Wareham (30 off 19) and Nicola Carey (12) added 41 runs for the sixth wicket, but the revival was short-lived.

Carey was bowled by Shree Charani, Annabel Sutherland was smartly stumped by Ghosh off Renuka, and Australia were eventually bowled out for 133.

In reply, India began briskly. Shafali Verma smashed 21 off 11 balls before falling to new Australian skipper Sophie Molineux. Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana was unbeaten on 16 off 17 balls, with Jemimah Rodrigues at the other end, when heavy rain forced an interruption.

With India 50 for one in 5.1 overs and well ahead of the DLS par score of 29, play could not resume and the visitors were declared winners, taking a 1-0 lead in the series.

The victory marked a confident start to India’s tour Down Under, with both bowlers and fielders displaying sharpness against a side entering a new era under Molineux’s leadership.