The Indian women’s cricket team etched their names in the history books by amassing a staggering 525 runs on Day 1 of the one-off Test against South Africa at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Friday, June 28. The monumental effort was anchored by the sensational Shafali Verma, who registered a double century, and the in-form Smriti Mandhana, who contributed a magnificent 149 runs. This achievement shattered multiple records in women’s Test cricket and marked an extraordinary day for Indian cricket.
India’s 525-run total is the highest ever scored in a single day in both men’s and women’s Test cricket, a feat that underscores the dominance and prowess displayed by the Indian batting lineup. This milestone saw India eclipse their previous highest Test innings total of 467, set against England back in 2002. With six wickets still in hand, the Indian team stands on the brink of breaking Australia’s all-time highest Test innings total of 575 on Day 2, further amplifying the historic nature of their performance.
Shafali Verma was the standout performer, smashing 205 runs off just 197 balls. Her scintillating innings made her only the second Indian woman and the tenth woman in the history of Test cricket to record a double century. Notably, Verma accomplished this feat in just 194 balls, registering the fastest double hundred in the history of women’s Test cricket and leaving an indelible mark on the sport.
The Indian Women’s Playing XI for this historic match includes Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Shubha Satheesh, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Pooja Vastrakar, Sneh Rana, Renuka Thakur Singh, and Rajeshwari Gayakwad. Each player contributed to the monumental performance, with many of their names referenced alongside newly set records.
Verma’s exceptional performance was complemented by an equally impressive knock by Smriti Mandhana, who fell just one run short of 150. Mandhana’s innings provided a stable foundation, allowing Verma the freedom to play an aggressive game.
. Together, the two players dismantled the South African bowling attack, setting the tone early in the Test match and placing India in a commanding position.
On the opposing side, the South Africa Women’s Playing XI featured Laura Wolvaardt (c), Sune Luus, Anneke Bosch, Marizanne Kapp, Delmi Tucker, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Masabata Klaas, Nonkululeko Mlaba, and Tumi Sekhukhune. Despite their best efforts, the South African bowlers could not contain the onslaught from the Indian batters and will have a daunting task ahead as they look to restrict further damage on Day 2.
The MA Chidambaram Stadium, often referred to as Chepauk, was electric with the record-shattering performances happening on its hallowed turf. The Indian fans, who turned up in numbers to support their team, were treated to a historic display of dominance and skill that will be remembered for years to come.
As the Indian women’s team heads into Day 2 with six wickets in hand, cricket enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating whether they will surpass Australia’s record-high score of 575. The strong start by the Indian team has not only boosted their confidence but also sent a strong message to the global cricketing community about the growing prowess of women’s cricket in India.
The day’s play also brought to light the remarkable progress and potential of the Indian women’s cricket team, reflecting the depth of talent and skill that the country has nurtured. Young players like Shafali Verma are transcending boundaries and setting new benchmarks, which augurs well for the future of the sport in India and globally.
As the Test match progresses, all eyes will continue to be on the Indian women’s cricket team to see how many more records they can break and how far they can push their historic innings against a formidable South African side. The historic 525 runs on Day 1 has certainly set the stage for more thrilling cricketing action and potentially more records to tumble.
Stay tuned for further updates as the Indian women’s cricket team continues their quest for cricketing glory in this landmark Test match.
