IND-W vs SA-W: Shafali Verma wears helmet while fielding at covers in Chepauk Test

Shefali Verma. (Source – Twitter/X)

In the ongoing one-off Test match between India and South Africa at Chepauk, an unusual sight caught the attention of spectators. India’s explosive opener,  Shafali Verma, was spotted fielding at covers wearing a helmet during the visitor’s second innings.

Verma’s decision to don a helmet while fielding at covers raised eyebrows. This protective measure, typically reserved for close-in fielders, suggested an awareness of potential risks or a strategic move to intimidate the opposition batters.

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Shafali Verma’s innings guide India to highest-ever total

South Africa, forced to follow on, mounted a remarkable comeback. Sune Luus and Laura Wolvaardt’s monumental 190-run stand for the second wicket kept the Proteas in the fight, overcoming even Sneh Rana’s historic eight-wicket haul for India.

Verma’s unconventional fielding approach came after her record-breaking performance with the bat. Her explosive double century (205 off 194 balls) had earlier propelled India to the highest-ever single-day total in Test history. This inning, coupled with Smriti Mandhana’s 149, set numerous records and is a major achievement in women’s Test cricket.

As the match progressed into its final day, South Africa trailed by 105 runs but had shown tremendous fight, scoring 232/2 in their second innings. The visitors’ fight, was complemented by Wolvaardt’s gritty 122 and Luus’s 109.

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The Indian bowlers came back strong at the start of the finals day, getting the crucial wickets, and sent nine of the Proteas batters back to the dugout. Verma took the ninth wicket and broke the crucial partnership between Masabata Klaas and Nadine de Klerk to get the side back in the game.