NEW DELHI: India were sharp with both bat and ball as they beat Australia by 21 runs via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method in the opening Women’s T20 International, kicking off their tour of Australia in style on Sunday.

Seamer Arundhati Reddy (4/22) spearheaded a disciplined bowling effort as India bowled Australia out for 133.

Such was the control exerted by the visitors that Australia were dismissed with two overs still remaining.

In reply, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana was unbeaten on 16 off 17 balls, with Jemimah Rodrigues alongside her, when rain brought play to a halt.

The match could not restart, and India, who were 50 for one in 5.1 overs, were declared winners. The DLS par score at that stage was 29.

The aggressive Shafali Verma had earlier made a quick impact, smashing 21 off just 11 balls before being dismissed by Australia’s new skipper Sophie Molineux.

Reddy Leads India’s Bowling Charge

Opting to bat first, Australia made a brisk start and raced to 22 in 2.2 overs before Beth Mooney (5) miscued a lofted attempt off Renuka Singh, offering a simple catch to Mandhana at cover.

Fellow opener Georgia Voll (18 off 10) soon followed, edging a wide delivery from Kranti Gaud behind, where Richa Ghosh completed the take comfortably.

Ellyse Perry (20 off 11) and Phoebe Litchfield (26 off 19) rebuilt with a fluent 41-run stand for the third wicket. But just as the partnership began to gather momentum, Reddy struck, aided by a superb diving catch from captain Harmanpreet Kaur.

The breakthrough lifted India, who quickly removed Ashleigh Gardner (4) and Litchfield to leave Australia struggling at 80 for five at the start of the 10th over.

Wareham Fights, India Close It Out

Georgia Wareham (30 off 19) and Nicola Carey (12) briefly resisted with a 41-run sixth-wicket partnership. However, Wareham miscued a leg-side delivery from Reddy and was caught, leaving Australia at 121 for six in the 14th over.

The score did not advance as Carey was bowled by a sharp delivery from Shree Charani while attempting a cut shot.

Renuka then produced another key moment as Annabel Sutherland was sharply stumped by Ghosh, who whipped off the bails in an instant.

Australia are entering a new phase under Molineux, who was appointed T20 captain in January, but India ensured her tenure began with defeat.

(With PTI Inputs)