Harmanpreet Kaur. (Source – BCCI)
India Women have been in exceptional form as of late. The side, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, has been breezing past opponents, and the same has been the case in their ongoing multi-format series against South Africa. After whitewashing the Proteas in the three-game ODI series, both sides took on each other in a one-off Test match at the historic MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
As the Indians came in to bat first in the Only Test, the side ended up setting a world record. India women opened up the duo of Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana. Shafali scored 205 runs, her first three-figure mark in internationals, whereas Mandhana showed her consistency with 149 runs to her name the side declared for a total of 603/6 runs in the first innings, making it the highest ever team total in a women’s Test match.
The record was previously held by Australia, who made a total of 575/9d against South Africa in 2024. Furthermore, third place in the list is again held by the Aussies, when they scored 569/9d against England, back in 1998.
Highest Team Total in Women’s Tests
591/4* – IND vs SA, Chennai, 2024
575/9d – AUS vs SA, Perth, 2024
569/9d – AUS vs ENG, Guildford, 1998
525 – AUS vs IND, Ahmedabad, 1984
517/8 – NZ vs ENG, Scarborough, 1996
503/5d – ENG vs NZ, Christchurch, 1935— चिरकुट ज़िंदगी (@Chirayu_Jain26) June 29, 2024
Kaur & Co too hot to handle for the Proteas
Speaking of the clash between India women and South Africa women, after the host’s exceptional start to the first innings, the middle order did not disappoint as well. Jemimah Rodrigues scored 55 runs in 94 deliveries, Harmanpreet Kaur added 69 runs in 115 deliveries, and Richa Ghosh scored 86 runs in 90 deliveries, as India recorded a 600-plus total in the format for the first time.
As for South Africa, Delmi Tucker was the highest wicket-taker for her side, with a couple of wickets to her name. Nadine de Klerk, Tumi Sekhukhune, and Nonkululeko Mlaba took one wicket each.
Also Check: IND-W vs SA-W, One-off Test 2024: Schedule, Squad, Live Streaming, Broadcasters & All you need to know
Team India declared on a score of 603, losing six wickets in the process. As they come out to bowl, the hosts will be keen on a just as productive performance with the ball in hand. With the upper hand in the only Test, India will look to seal the deal as quickly as possible, before moving onto the 20-over matches at the same venue.