Shafali Verma became the second Indian woman to score a double hundred in Test cricket. The 20-year-old achieved this milestone on Day 1 of the Only Test against South Africa at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The right-handed batter reached the landmark off 194 balls during the third session of the day’s play at Chepauk.
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Shafali Verma Becomes 2nd Woman To Score Double Hundred
The only other Indian woman to achieve this feat was the legendary Mithali Raj, who scored a double century against England in Taunton back in 2002.
Shafali’s innings also marked the seventh-highest individual score in Women’s Tests and the second-highest by an Indian woman, following Mithali’s 214 against England. Shafali scored 205 runs off 197 balls, hitting 23 fours and 8 sixes before being run out at the striker’s end. She also became the youngest Indian to reach 500 Test runs and the second youngest to score a Test hundred, after Mithali.
After India chose to bat first, Shafali and Smriti Mandhana set a record for the highest opening partnership in the history of Women’s Tests, putting together a stand of 292 runs off 52 overs. Shafali reached her fifty in 60 balls and then her maiden Test hundred in 158 deliveries. In the post-lunch session, she accelerated her scoring to reach her double century.
Even after Mandhana’s dismissal, Shafali continued to play aggressively. It appeared she might surpass Mithali’s 214, but she was run out after hesitating to take a run. Replays showed she was far from making the crease, and Sinalo Jafta removed the bails to dismiss her. Despite the run-out, Shafali received a loud cheer from the crowd at Chepauk.
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