Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana steal the show as India Women script history on Day 1 of IND-W vs SA-W only Test

Openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana stole the limelight as India Women scripted history on Day 1 of the only Test against South Africa Women at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Friday, June 28. The Women in Blue put up a mammoth 525-4 after 98 overs at Stumps on Day 1, overtaking the previous record for most runs on the opening day of a Women’s Test (431).

The hosts looked in the driving seat after India captain Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and chose to bat first. Shafali scored 205 runs off 197 balls, hitting eight sixes and 23 boundaries. The right-handed batter became only the second Indian player to score a double ton in women’s cricket.

Shafali's opening partner Smriti Mandhana looked equally brilliant, scoring 149 off 161 deliveries, comprising one six and 26 boundaries.

Delmi Tucker broke the record 292-run partnership by dismissing Mandhana in the 52nd over. Soon after, Nadine de Klerk sent back Shubha Satheesha (15 off 27) to help the Proteas strike twice.

Shafali then shared an 86-run partnership for the third wicket with Jemimah Rodrigues before getting run out soon after her double hundred. Jemimah scored 55 off 94 before falling to Tucker.

At the Stumps on Day 1, India Women were 525-4, with Harmanpreet Kaur (42 off 76) and Richa Ghosh (43 off 33) at the crease.

Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana react to their respective double ton & hundred in IND-w vs SA-W only Test

Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana were delighted to bring up their individual double century and hundred, respectively, in the one-off Test. Shafali credited Mandhana for her power-packed show. She told Jio Cinema:

“I always enjoy my range hitting and try and back my strengths. Smriti always tells me to follow my instincts, especially when playing against the spinners.”

Mandhana also opened up on her camaraderie with Shafali after a 292-run opening partnership. She said:

“Really happy. Always enjoyed batting alongside her (Shafali Verma). I was really happy that Shafali could get to 150 and to 200.

"I know that her (Shafali Verma) strength is spin and she knows that pace is something I really love. It always works and we know our strengths well and we have been opening together for around 3 years, and both going in flow is good for both of us and for the team.” Mandhana added.

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