India-W vs South Africa-W: India break Australia's record of the highest-team total in Women's Test

The Indian women’s team made history as they scored a record total of 603/6 against the South African women’s team in the one-off Test match at the M Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai as well. Day 2 of the Test match saw India continuing their dominance from the last day. India also surpassed Australia’s record for the highest team total on June 29, Saturday as well.

Earlier, Australia had a record of 575/9d against South Africa in February 2024. India surpassed their total to make history by holding the record yet again against the same opponents. However, India created a lot of records as they had the upperhand throughout the innings.

After opting to bat first, Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana set the platform for India as they smashed their respective hundreds. Their stunning knocks put the Proteas on the back foot as the duo scored freely all over the park. The duo shared a record partnership of 292 runs, which is the highest ever by an opening pair in women’s Tests as well. Mandhana got out for 149 runs whereas Shafali Verma smashed a scintillating double ton.

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She went on to score 205 and reached the 200-run mark in only 194 balls, the fastest in a Women’s Test. However, she missed out on breaking former India captain Mithali Raj’s record of the highest score for India in Women’s Tests as she was run out due to a mix-up with Jemimah Rodrigues.

Despite her dismissal, Harmanpreet Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues and Richa Ghosh played well and India put up 525 runs on the board, the highest for any team on a single day’s play as well. Jemimah Rodrigues also scored a fifty and Harmanpreet Kaur along with Richa Ghosh kept the scoreboard ticking on Day 1. Notably, Harmanpreet (69) and Richa (86) missed out on scoring hundreds as India declared the innings at 603.