The numbers
Arundhati Reddy has made headlines by being named the ICC Women’s Player of the Month for February 2026, following her outstanding performance during the T20I series against Australia. The 28-year-old Indian pacer from Hyderabad was the leading wicket-taker in the series, claiming a remarkable 8 wickets.
Reddy’s bowling average of 10.87 and an economy rate of 7.25 underscored her effectiveness on the field. Her best performance came in the first T20I, where she took 4 wickets for just 22 runs, setting the tone for India’s success. In the subsequent matches, she continued to shine with figures of 2/30 in the second T20I and 2/35 in the third, contributing significantly to India’s series win.
This victory was particularly significant as it marked India’s first T20I series win in Australia since 2016. Reddy’s contributions were pivotal in securing a 2-1 series victory, a feat that has boosted the team’s confidence ahead of the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
Reflecting on her achievement, Reddy stated, “It’s a real honour to be named ICC Player of the Month, and even more special knowing I was able to contribute to a T20I series win in Australia.” She emphasized the challenges of competing against Australia on their home turf, adding, “Beating Australia on their home turf is never easy, which makes this award even more meaningful.”
Reddy’s performances not only earned her individual accolades but also helped galvanize the Indian team. She remarked, “This series win has given our team a huge boost of confidence as we build towards the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England and Wales this summer.” Her optimism about the team’s potential was evident when she said, “We’ve got a well-balanced squad, and I believe we’ll be a team to watch.”
Reddy’s achievement comes as she was selected for the ICC Player of the Month award ahead of notable competitors such as Sri Lanka’s Harshitha Samarawickrama and Pakistan’s Fatima Sana. Her record-setting performance for the most wickets taken in a three-match T20I series further cements her status as a rising star in women’s cricket.
As the cricketing world looks forward to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, Reddy’s form and confidence will be crucial for India’s campaign. Observers will be keen to see how her performance translates into the high-stakes environment of the World Cup, where expectations will be high for the Indian squad.
