India women notch highest total in a day of Test cricket

A maiden double century from Shafali Verma and a century from Smriti Mandhana powered India to a record-breaking total on Day 1 of the one-off Test against South Africa Women at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Friday (June 28).

Shafali hit eight sixes and 23 fours to achieve a career-best score of 205 off 197 balls. Her opening partner, Smriti, scored 149 runs off 161 balls (27 fours, 1 six), helping India post 525/4 in 98 overs — the highest innings total in a single day's play in Test cricket. The total trumped 509/9 by the Sri Lankan men on the second day of the 2002 Colombo Test against Bangladesh, according to statistics provided by ESPNCricinfo.com.

South Africa’s all-rounder Delmi Tucker was the standout bowler of the day, finishing with figures of 2/141 in 26 overs.

After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Shafali and Smriti displayed masterful batting in the first session, propelling the host nation to 130/0 at lunch, with both batters reaching their fifties.

Continuing their dominance, Smriti quickly reached her second Test century, soon followed by Shafali, who celebrated her maiden hundred.

The pair added crucial runs in favourable batting conditions before Delmi broke the partnership by dismissing Smriti for 149, ending a massive 292-run stand for the first wicket. 

Although Shafali lost her more experienced opening partner, the 20-year-old combined effectively with Satheesh Shubha (15) and Jemimah Rodrigues (55) to help India reach the 400-run mark as Shafali celebrated her double ton. 

Following the departure of Shubha off the bowling of Nadine de Klerk (1/62), Shafali’s outstanding knock was eventually brought to an end through a run-out after a mix-up with Jemimah to leave the home side 411/3. 

Shortly after reaching her own milestone with a third career half-century, Jemimah was the next wicket to fall with Delmi dismissing the middle-order batter for a 94-ball 55 (8x4s). 

Jemimah’s wicket proved to be the last moment of joy for the South Africans as Harmanpreet Kaur (42 not out) and Richa Ghosh (53 not out) added an unbeaten 75-run stand for the fifth wicket to end Day 1 on a commanding 525/4. 

India women's cricket team, Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Chennai Test