The Indian women’s cricket team made history on Friday, June 28, by posting an astonishing 525 runs on the first day of a one-off Test against South Africa in Chennai. This remarkable performance saw Shafali Verma score a double century and Smriti Mandhana contribute a stunning 149, breaking several records in women’s Test cricket.
At the MA Chidambaram Stadium, India achieved the highest-ever team total in a single day for both men’s and women’s Tests. This is also India’s highest Test innings total in 22 years, surpassing their previous best of 467 against England in 2002. With six wickets in hand, India is on track to break Australia’s all-time record of 575 runs.
Shafali Verma top-scored with 205 runs off 197 balls, becoming only the second Indian woman and the tenth cricketer in the world to register a double century in women’s Tests. Her double ton, achieved in just 194 balls, is the fastest in women’s Test history.
Indian openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma added 292 runs for the first wicket, setting a new record for the highest partnership in women’s Test cricket. Mandhana scored 149 off 161 balls, including 27 fours and a six, before being dismissed by Delmi Tucker.
Jemimah Rodrigues ended her poor form with a solid 55 runs, while captain Harmanpreet Kaur and wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh added an unbeaten 75-run partnership, pushing India to a commanding 525/5 in 98 overs.
India’s playing XI: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Shubha Satheesh, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Pooja Vastrakar, Sneh Rana, Renuka Thakur Singh, Rajeshwari Gayakwad.
South Africa’s playing XI: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Sune Luus, Anneke Bosch, Marizanne Kapp, Delmi Tucker, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Masabata Klaas, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune.
The Indian team’s extraordinary performance has set the stage for a potentially record-breaking Test match.
Comments