Chennai: On Friday, Indian cricketers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana made history by recording the highest opening partnership in women's Test cricket. The pair shared a remarkable 292-run stand on the opening day of the one-off Test against South Africa.
This partnership broke the previous record of a 241-run opening stand set by Pakistan's Sajjida Shah and Kiran Baluch against the West Indies in Karachi in 2004. Additionally, it became the second-highest partnership for any wicket in women's Test cricket, behind the 309-run stand between Australian players LA Reeler and DA Annetts for the third wicket against England in Wetherby in 1987.
Shafali and Smriti also surpassed their own best opening stand of 167, which they achieved against England in Bristol in 2021. Furthermore, they eclipsed the highest Indian partnership for any wicket in women's Test cricket, which was previously 275 runs by Poonam Raut and Thirush Kamini against South Africa in Mysore in 2014.
The duo looked dominant during their impressive partnership, which came to an end when Smriti was dismissed by Delmi Tucker, falling just one run short of her 150. Despite this, Shafali continued her stellar performance, becoming the fourth Indian woman to score over 150 in a Test match, following in the footsteps of Mithali Raj, Thirush Kamini, and Sandhya Agarwal.
At Tea, the Indian women's team stood at 334 for two in 60 overs, with Shafali still batting strongly on 165. The second wicket to fall was Satheesh Shubha, who scored 15 runs.
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