Who is Arundhati Reddy? The MS Dhoni-inspired pacer who could be India's secret weapon at Women's T20 World Cup 2026

MS Dhoni has inspired an entire generation of cricketers, and Arundhati Reddy is no exception. Like many young players, the Hyderabad-born cricketer grew up idolising the former India captain and initially dreamed of becoming a wicketkeeper. However, guidance from coaches helped her discover a different path. Former Hyderabad coach Savita Nirala and ex-India spinner Nooshin Al Khadeer encouraged her to focus on seam bowling, a decision that would ultimately shape her career and transform her into one of India's most dependable pace-bowling all-rounders.

Arundhati has come a long way since those early days. Today, she is a valuable member of Harmanpreet Kaur's squad and one of the team's most trusted performers in the shortest format. While she went wicketless in India's Women's T20 World Cup 2026 opener against Pakistan, the team knows the impact she can have on any given day. Her ability to deliver crucial overs and contribute under pressure makes her an important asset in India's campaign.

The 2024 Women's T20 World Cup showcased Arundhati's value to the side, as she claimed seven wickets during the tournament and earned praise for her consistent performances despite India's early exit. She was also part of India's historic Women's ODI World Cup-winning squad in 2025, further highlighting her growing importance to the national team. Throughout this article, we take a closer look at Arundhati Reddy's journey, her rise through the ranks, and why she could be India's secret weapon at the ongoing Women's T20 World Cup.

From wanting to be wicketkeeper to India’s pace-bowling star — Arundhati Reddy’s remarkable journey

Born on April 10, 1997, in Hyderabad, Telangana, Arundhati Reddy has emerged as one of India's most dependable pace bowlers. Known for her right-arm medium pace and fighting spirit, she has built her career through hard work, patience, and consistent performances. Since making her international debut in 2018, Reddy has represented India across multiple overseas tours and major tournaments, gradually establishing herself as a reliable performer in the national setup.

Reddy's cricket journey began at the age of 12. Encouraged by her mother, a former semi-professional volleyball player, she joined a cricket academy after regularly playing with her brother at home. Like many young cricketers of her generation, she idolised MS Dhoni and dreamed of becoming a wicketkeeper. However, former Hyderabad coach Savita Nirala and former India spinner Nooshin Al Khadeer saw greater potential in her as a seam-bowling all-rounder and guided her in that direction.

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The decision proved to be a turning point. Reddy made her Under-19 debut for Hyderabad at just 15 years of age and steadily climbed the ranks. She became a regular member of India's T20I squad between 2018 and 2021, featuring in the Women's T20 World Cups in 2018 and 2020. However, strong competition from players such as Pooja Vastrakar and Shikha Pandey meant she often had to fight hard for a place in the playing XI.

One of the defining moments of her career came after she was dropped following a tour of Australia in 2024. Instead of letting the setback affect her, Reddy returned to domestic cricket, worked on her game, and earned her way back into the national team. Her comeback highlighted her resilience and determination, qualities that have made her an important member of India's pace attack and a valuable asset in major tournaments.

3 reasons why Arundhati Reddy is the most dangerous bowler in India's Women's T20 World Cup 2026 squad

1. She has a proven record in Women's T20 World Cups

Arundhati Reddy has consistently improved with every Women's T20 World Cup appearance. While she picked up 2 wickets each in the 2018 and 2020 editions, her breakthrough came in 2024 when she claimed 7 wickets in just 4 innings at an economy rate of 6.00 and an average of 12.9. Across four editions of the tournament, she has taken 11 wickets in 10 innings.

Women's T20 World Cup Record

Those numbers show why India continue to trust her on the biggest stage.

2. Her recent T20I form has been outstanding

Reddy's overall WT20I record stands at 48 wickets in 53 matches, but her performances in recent seasons have been especially encouraging. After returning to the national side, she picked up 10 wickets in 2024, followed by 9 wickets in 2025 and 11 wickets in 2026. Her career-best figures of 4/22 also came this year.

Recent WT20I Record

With England expected to assist seam bowlers, these numbers make her a serious threat.

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3. Experience across franchise and international cricket

Reddy's experience goes far beyond international cricket. She has played 27 WPL matches and represented both Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Her best WPL season came in 2023/24 when she took 8 wickets in 9 matches at an economy rate of 7.62. She was also part of the Delhi Capitals teams that reached three consecutive WPL finals and India's historic ODI World Cup-winning squad in 2025.

Women's Premier League Record

With World Cup experience, 48 WT20I wickets, strong recent form, and years of franchise-cricket exposure, Arundhati Reddy has all the qualities needed to become one of India's most dangerous bowlers at the Women's T20 World Cup 2026.

Dropped, forgotten, then recalled — How Arundhati Reddy fought back to become Harmanpreet's go-to pacer

Arundhati Reddy's journey back to the Indian team is a story of resilience and determination. After being dropped following India's tour of Australia in 2024, many believed her international career had stalled. However, Reddy refused to let the setback define her. She returned to domestic cricket, worked on her game, and delivered consistent performances that forced selectors to take notice once again.

A major turning point came during the 2023-24 domestic season when Reddy left her long-time team, Railways, and moved to Kerala on the advice of former India women's fielding coach Biju George. The change proved beneficial. Along with strong domestic performances, her impressive displays for Delhi Capitals in the Women's Premier League strengthened her case for a national-team comeback. Her hard work paid off when she earned a BCCI recall to the Indian side in 2024.

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Reddy's comeback reached another level during India's tour of Australia in early 2026. Returning to a country where she had previously faced disappointment, the Hyderabad pacer produced the best performances of her international career. She finished as the leading wicket-taker in the three-match T20I series with eight wickets at an average of 10.87 and an economy rate of 7.25.

In the opening T20I in Sydney, she registered career-best figures of 4/22 and was named Player of the Match after helping India secure a rain-affected victory. She followed it up with figures of 2/30 in Canberra and 2/35 in Adelaide, including the crucial wicket of Ashleigh Gardner, as India sealed a historic T20I series win on Australian soil.

Her outstanding performances were recognised on March 22, 2026, when she was named the ICC Women's Player of the Month for February 2026—the first ICC monthly award of her career. Reflecting on the achievement, Reddy said that contributing to a series victory in Australia made the honour even more special. From being dropped and overlooked to becoming one of Harmanpreet Kaur's most trusted pace bowlers, Reddy's comeback has been one of the most inspiring stories in Indian women's cricket.