• Sportzyverse
• Cricket news
• 06/28/2024
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Indian Women’s Cricket Team opener Shafali Verma scripted history on Friday in Chennai by registering the fastest double ton in women’s cricket against South Africa in the one-off Test between the sides. Shafali reached the 200-run mark in just 196 deliveries, surpassing Australia’s Annabel Sutherland, who previously held the record with a double ton in 248 deliveries.

HISTORY CREATED BY SHAFALI VERMA.

– The fastest to score a double century in women’s Test match. 🫡🇮🇳pic.twitter.com/FVa4DTa8dO

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 28, 2024

Besides that, India’s formidable opening pair of Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma set up a record-breaking opening partnership during the match. They shared a stand of over 200 runs, with both notching up their respective Test hundreds on Day 1 at the M Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. This partnership became the highest-ever opening stand in women’s Test cricket for India, breaking their previous record of a 167-run opening stand against England in June 2021.

Shafali reached her maiden Test hundred in 113 balls, earning applause from the dressing room and a warm hug from Mandhana. On the very next ball in the 40th over, Mandhana also brought up her Test hundred in 121 balls. The South African bowlers struggled to find any breakthrough as Mandhana and Shafali provided a strong start for India after opting to bat first. Mandhana continued her sublime form, scoring her fourth hundred in her last five international games.

Mandhana and Shafali’s hundreds set up record opening stand for India

Mandhana and Shafali broke the all-time record for the opening stand in women’s Test cricket. They surpassed the two-decade-old record set by Pakistan’s Kiran Baluch and Sajjida Shah, who had a 241-run partnership. Shafali and Mandhana shared a remarkable 292-run partnership from just 312 balls.

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Mandhana fell short of a double century, departing after scoring 149 runs from 161 balls. Shafali continued to go strong, joined by Shubha Satheesh at the crease after Mandhana’s wicket. The breakthrough for South Africa came as a relief, but Mandhana’s departure was due to the hot and humid conditions rather than the bowlers’ efforts. Shafali’s remarkable innings left an indelible mark on women’s Test cricket despite the setback.