Who is Arundhati Reddy? The 28‑year‑old Indian cricketer, who was named the ICC Women's Player of the Month

Arundhati Reddy has gone from being dependable domestic‑circuit seamer to a globally recognised name in women’s cricket. The 28‑year‑old Indian pacer was named the ICC Women’s Player of the Month for February 2026, which proves her hard work during a disciplined, high‑pressure campaign in Australia.

Her match‑winning performances in the T20I series against the world No. 1 Australian women’s team played an indelible role in India’s 2‑1 series victory, marking the first time India had clinched a T20I series in Australia since 2016.

In a way, this award is not just a personal milestone, but also a sign of how India’s pace battery is evolving and gaining confidence ahead of the Women’s T20 World Cup later in the cycle.

Who is Arundhati Reddy?

Arundhati Reddy is a right‑arm medium‑pace bowler from Hyderabad whose career has been built on hard work, consistency, and the ability to handle pressure even in foreign lands.

She first made her international debut in 2018 and has since been part of various overseas tours, domestic tournaments, and franchise‑league sides, slowly building a reputation as a steady wicket‑taker rather than a flash‑and‑vanish name.

After being dropped following a previous tour of Australia in 2024, Reddy worked her way back into the national setup by scoring strongly in domestic cricket, showing that she did not let rejection define her.

In 2026, her return to Australia with the Indian team became a coming‑of‑age story, as she delivered the kind of bowling that changed series results.

ICC Women’s Player of the Month

On 22 March 2026, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced Arundhati Reddy as the ICC Women’s Player of the Month for February 2026, making it the first ICC‑awarded monthly honour in her international career. The award recognises not only her stats but also her role in India’s 2‑1 T20I series win on Australian soil, which is widely regarded as one of the toughest tours in women’s cricket.


Reddy herself said, “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. Beating Australia on their home turf is never easy, which makes this award even more meaningful,” according to the ICC‑announced statement.

Her stats and key performances in Australia

In the three‑match T20I series, Arundhati Reddy emerged as the leading wicket‑taker, picking up 8 wickets in 3 matches. Her bowling average of 10.87 and economy of 7.25 show how she controlled the scoring while also breaking partnerships at crucial moments.

Here’s how she broke it down match by match:

• 1st T20I, Sydney: 4/22 (career‑best) – Reddy ripped through Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, taking 4 wickets in 4 overs as the hosts were bowled out in just 18 overs. Match reports noted that this was India’s key bowling performance in a rain‑hit, 21‑run DLS victory, and she was named Player of the Match.

• 2nd T20I, Canberra: 2/30 – She maintained her pressure in the middle overs, helping India control the chase and keep the series momentum.

• 3rd T20I, Adelaide: 2/35- including the crucial wicket of Ashleigh Gardner, who top‑scored with 57. Her scalp of Gardner helped India restrict Australia enough to seal the historic series win.