Shafali Verma’s Record-Breaking Double Century in Women’s Test Cricket
In a historic feat, Shafali Verma, the Indian batter, blazed a trail on Friday in Chennai during the one-off Test match against South Africa. Her astounding double century not only shattered records but also propelled India to the highest-ever single-day total in Test history.
Partnering with the equally brilliant Smriti Mandhana, who contributed a magnificent 149, Shafali forged a formidable 292-run opening stand, setting the stage for India’s massive 525/4.
Delving into the Record-Breaking Moments
Shafali’s double century eclipsed the previous record for the fastest century held by Australia’s Annabel Sutherland, who had scored a double ton off 248 balls earlier this year. With consecutive sixes off Delmi Tucker followed by a single, Shafali achieved the milestone in grand style.
This accomplishment also saw Shafali becoming only the second Indian woman to score a double century in Test cricket, following in the footsteps of the legendary Mithali Raj. Mithali’s 214, scored off 407 balls, came during a drawn Test against England in 2002.
Shattering Records Across the Board
India’s 525/4 is the highest single-day total by any team, across both men’s and women’s Test cricket, shattering the previous record held by the Sri Lankan men’s team. Shafali became the first woman to score over 200 runs in a single day of Test cricket, surpassing the previous record of 189 runs set by Betty Snowball in 1935.
Remarkably, Shafali also holds the record for the most sixes in a single innings of women’s Tests, with an astonishing eight sixes in her double century. In fact, she has hit more sixes in a single day of women’s Test cricket than any other player in the format’s history!
Shafali’s Precious Treasure
“It’s a special moment for me and I will savor it as a precious treasure for the rest of my life. It is my second favorite knock after the U-19 (T20) World Cup (title win),” said an elated Shafali after the day’s play, highlighting the significance of her achievement.
She credited her recent hard work and dedication to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, and attributed her success to the support of Smriti Mandhana, who helped her maintain her composure during the innings.
India’s Dominance on Day 1
The South African bowlers, especially the spinners, struggled on the Chennai pitch, with Delmi Tucker being the most successful with a haul of 2 for 141. However, Shafali’s 205, coupled with Mandhana’s 149, handed India a significant advantage on Day 1.
Despite the bowlers’ efforts, India’s openers amassed 292 runs, the highest opening stand in women’s Tests, surpassing the 241-run partnership between Kiran Baluch and Sajjida Shah in 2004. This dominance extended to the overall innings total, with India’s 525/4 now their highest in women’s Tests and the joint-third by any team in the format.
A Testament to India’s Women Cricketers
The record-breaking performance by Shafali Verma and the Indian women’s team is a testament to their skill, hard work, and the growing popularity of women’s cricket globally. Their dominance on Day 1 against South Africa sets the stage for an exciting Test match and further elevates the status of women’s cricket on the world stage.
Deepika