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In a commanding display of batting prowess, India Women posted a formidable total of 525/4 in their first innings against South Africa Women on Day 1 of the One-off Test in Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium. Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana set the tone with exceptional centuries, showcasing their skill and determination on the crease.
India’s dominant opening partnership
India opted to bat first after winning the toss, with Shafali and her opening partner Smriti scripting history by forging the highest-ever opening partnership in Women’s Tests, accumulating a remarkable 292 runs in 52 overs. Shafali began her innings briskly, reaching fifty off just 60 deliveries, followed swiftly by her maiden Test century in 158 balls. Post lunch, she intensified her scoring rate, ultimately surging past the double century milestone. Meanwhile Smriti became the second-fastest Test centurion in Women’s cricket history after Shafali who achieved the milestone in the same game.
Smriti Mandhana’s remarkable ton
Smriti played a pivotal role in India Women’s formidable first innings total against South Africa Women. Her composed innings of 149 runs off 161 deliveries was a testament to her ability to build an innings. Smriti’s innings was highlighted by 27 boundaries, which included a mix of elegant drives and powerful strokes, showcasing her technical prowess and ability to dominate the bowling attack.
Shafali Verma’s explosive double century
Shafali’s blazing knock of 205 runs off just 197 balls was the cornerstone of India’s imposing total. Her innings was a display of aggressive batting, marked by 23 fours and 8 towering sixes. Shafali’s ability to find gaps in the field and dispatch loose deliveries to the boundary kept the scoreboard ticking at a brisk pace. Her double century laid a solid foundation for India, providing the team with momentum and confidence throughout the innings.
Also READ: Fans celebrate as Shafali Verma smashes fastest double-hundred in Women’s Tests during IN-W vs SA-W game
Middle order contributions
After the fall of Shafali and Smriti wicket, the middle order ensured India’s dominance continued. Jemimah Rodrigues contributed a steady 55, while captain Harmanpreet Kaur remained unbeaten at 42, steering the innings towards a mammoth total. Richa Ghosh provided late fireworks, scoring a brisk 43 not out off 33 deliveries and remained not out at the close of first day’s play, accelerating the scoring rate in the final overs.
South African bowling efforts
South Africa struggled to break through India’s batting lineup, with their bowlers facing a daunting challenge. Despite efforts from Delmi Tucker, who claimed two crucial wickets, the rest of the bowling attack found it tough to contain the rampant Indian batters. Nadine de Klerk was the only other bowler to manage a wicket, but the overall economy rates were elevated as India maintained a steady run rate throughout their innings.
Here’s how X reacted:
What an incredible partnership 🔥 and a stellar innings! 🏏 Massive congratulations to @mandhana_smriti for another test century and WAY TO GO @TheShafaliVerma for turning your maiden test century into a double! 🎉💫#INDWvsSAW #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/JDRg2yojJj
— Jhulan Goswami (@JhulanG10) June 28, 2024
Well played Shafali Verma 💯💯… @BCCIWomen #INDvSA
— Anjum Chopra (@chopraanjum) June 28, 2024
Good lord. My eyes are tired watching that. Pity the South Africans.
India ends day 1 with 525/4 in 98 overs, the most runs scored in a single day of a Women's Test#INDvSA #WomensCricket @sportstarweb
— Lavanya 🎙️🎥👩🏻💻 (@lav_narayanan) June 28, 2024
525 runs by India on Day 1! 😁#INDvSA
— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) June 28, 2024
Highest ever single day Test score by any team, Men's or Women's. Shafali Verma & Smriti Mandhana were so good.
— The Best of Cricket (@bestcricstories) June 28, 2024
500 runs on Day1 of the test. What positive batting by India 💙
Should start calling it #Amolball#INDvSA #CricketTwitter
— Karthik K (@kart87) June 28, 2024
There's dominance and then this. I wasn't really surprised how things began after those Tests against England and Australia but this is absolutely mad from India! #INDvSA
— Soorya Sesha (@sooryasesha7) June 28, 2024
Highest individual score for India in Women's Test 🏏#women #cricket #INDvSA #mithaliraj #ShafaliVerma #CricketTwitter #WomenCricket pic.twitter.com/zQ5qyDejBy
— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) June 28, 2024
Records tumbling in Chennai, great play from India, bang average from South Africa. Test cricket is not for the faint of heart. #INDvSA
— Michael Oakley (@Mike_Slinky) June 28, 2024
Stumps. Day 1. INDIA 525/4. Terrific day for the team. Shafali, Smriti were terrific. Jemi was good too. Harman and Richa are set. Should look to bat another hour or so tomorrow and declare. #INDvSA
— Kartik O 🏏⚽🔗 (@KOCricket528) June 28, 2024
Day 1 | STUMPS 🏏
Umpires have called it a day in Chennai.
Smriti and Shafali gave India a dominant start with the bat.The Proteas Women bounced back with 2 quick wickets before tea.
Lots more work to be done on Day 2. ☀️🇮🇳 India 525/4 (1st Innings)
🇿🇦 South Africa (Still… pic.twitter.com/KnN73BwhSA— Proteas Women (@ProteasWomenCSA) June 28, 2024
Shafali has the playstyle to be the first women to score triple hundred in tests!#INDvSA
— Shreyas (@vakhaVikhiVukhu) June 28, 2024
That's Stumps on Day 1 of the #INDvSA Test!
A record-breaking & a run-filled Day comes to an end as #TeamIndia post a massive 525/4 on the board! 👏 🙌
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/4EU1Kp7wJe@IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/ELEdbtwcUB
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) June 28, 2024
Also READ: IN-W vs SA-W: Fans erupt in joy as Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma hit tons on Day 1 of the One-off Test
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.