Sydney, February 15 Seamer Arundhati Reddy (4/22) led an excellent bowling display as India bowled out the hosts, Australia, for 133 in the first women's T20 International here on Sunday.
The Indian bowlers were so effective that Australia were dismissed with two overs to spare.
Asked to bat first, Australia got off to a quick start, reaching 22 in 2.2 overs when Beth Mooney (5) edged a Renuka Singh delivery while trying to loft the ball, but Smriti Mandhana completed the catch at cover.
The other opener, Georgia Voll (18 off 10 balls), followed Mooney shortly after, getting an edge while attempting a cut shot against a wide delivery by Kranti Gaud, and wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh completed the dismissal comfortably.
Ellyse Perry (20 off 11 balls) and Phoebe Litchfield (26 off 19 balls) then put on a brisk 41-run partnership for the third wicket, but just as their partnership was threatening, Arundhati struck, with captain Harmanpreet Kaur running back to cover and making a brilliant catch.
This was a major breakthrough for India, and they continued to dominate, taking two more wickets in the form of Ashleigh Gardner (4) and Litchfield, reducing Australia to 80 for five at the start of the 10th over.
Georgia Wareham (30 off 19 balls) and Nicola Carey (12) then added 41 runs for the sixth wicket, temporarily halting India's momentum, before Wareham missed a poor delivery from Arundhati and Carey was dismissed after miscuing a ball going down the leg side, leaving Australia at 121 for six in the 14th over.
Carey was then bowled by a quick delivery from Shree Charani while she attempted a cut shot.
Renuka then brilliantly stumped Annabel Sutherland by Ghosh, who quickly removed the bails.
Australia is beginning a new era with Sophie Molineux taking charge of the side after being appointed captain of the T20 team in January.
