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. 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.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.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.