Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana Achieve Milestone In Women's Cricket History During IND vs SA One-Off Test

Indian opening duo of Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana recorded the highest opening partnership in women's Test cricket on June 28 (Friday) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

India are up against South Africa in the one-off test of the South Africa Women’s Tour Of India 2024. On the first day of the Test itself, India stamped their authority over the South Africa team. Indian opening duo of Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana achieved a milestone in women's Test cricket by recording the highest opening partnership on June 28 (Friday) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. They shared an impressive 292-run stand on the first day of the one-off Test against South Africa.

This partnership between Shafali and Mandhana surpassed the previous record of 241 runs set by Pakistan's Sajjida Shah and Kiran Baluch against West Indies in Karachi back in 2004. It also stands as the second highest partnership for any wicket in Women's Test cricket, trailing only the 309-run partnership between Australia's LA Reeler and DA Annetts for the third wicket against England in Wetherby in 1987.

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Shafali, Mandhana Help India Post Monumental Total

The Women in Blue amassed a monumental 525-4 after 98 overs at Stumps on Day 1, surpassing the previous record for most runs on the opening day of a Women’s Test (431). India took control early after captain Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and opted to bat. 

Shafali Verma scored a stunning 205 runs off 197 balls, including eight sixes and 23 boundaries, becoming only the second Indian woman to score a double century in Test cricket. Shafali also set a new record for the fastest hundred in Women's Tests, achieving it off just 113 balls. This surpasses the previous record of 137 balls set by Janette Brittin in 1984.

Her opening partner, Smriti Mandhana, was equally impressive, scoring 149 off 161 deliveries with one six and 26 boundaries. South Africa’s Delmi Tucker broke the 292-run stand by dismissing Mandhana in the 52nd over. Nadine de Klerk soon followed, taking the wicket of Shubha Satheesha.

Shafali then continued and formed an 86-run partnership with Jemimah Rodrigues for the third wicket before being run out shortly after reaching her double century. Jemimah scored 55 off 94 before falling to Tucker.