India’s dynamic opening duo, Smriti Mandhana, and Shafali Verma, set a record-breaking opening partnership during the one-off Test match against the South African women’s team. They shared a stand of over 200 runs, both scoring their respective Test centuries on Day 1 at the M Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Friday, June 28.
TAKE A BOW, SMRITI MANDHANA!!
---Advertisement---149 (161) with 26 fours and a six – a royal innings by Mandhana in Chennai. Smashed the highest ever opening stand in women’s Test cricket with Shafali. 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/U2ChNT5SCD
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 28, 2024
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Smriti Mandhana And Shafali Verma Make History In One-Off Test
This partnership marks the highest-ever opening stand in women’s Test cricket for India, surpassing their previous record of a 167-run partnership against England in June 2021.
🚨 Milestone Alert 🚨
2⃣9⃣2⃣
This is now the highest opening partnership ever in women’s Tests 🙌
Smriti Mandhana & Shafali Verma 🫡🫡
Follow the match ▶️ https://t.co/4EU1Kp7wJe#TeamIndia | #INDvSA | @IDFCFIRSTBank | @mandhana_smriti | @TheShafaliVerma pic.twitter.com/XmXbU9V3M6
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) June 28, 2024
Shafali reached her maiden Test century in just 113 balls, receiving applause from the dressing room and a warm hug from Mandhana. In the very next ball of the 40th over, Mandhana also achieved her Test hundred in 121 balls. The pair provided a strong start for India after choosing to bat first, leaving the South African bowlers struggling to make any inroads. Mandhana continued her excellent form, scoring her fourth century in her last five international matches.
Together, Mandhana and Shafali shattered the all-time record for the highest opening partnership in women’s Test cricket, surpassing the two-decade-old record held by Pakistan’s Kiran Baluch and Sajjida Shah, who had a 241-run stand. Mandhana and Shafali amassed a 292-run partnership off just 312 balls.
Mandhana narrowly missed out on a double century, getting out after scoring 149 runs from 161 balls. Meanwhile, Shafali continued to build on her innings and aimed for a double hundred. She was joined at the crease by Shubha Satheesh after Mandhana’s dismissal.
This wicket was a crucial breakthrough for South Africa, who had been struggling as the Indian openers showed no mercy. However, Mandhana would likely be disappointed to miss out on a double ton, as the hot and humid conditions took their toll on her.
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