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‘Toying with bowlers’- Shafali Verma,Smriti Mandhana propel India to stellar start on Day 1 of Chepauk Test

June 28, 2024 / 1 week ago

Shafali Verma. (Photo Source: BCCI Women)

India Women kicked off their Only Test against South Africa at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai, on June 28. The clash came after the recently concluded ODI series of the ongoing tour, in which the Women in Blue whitewashed the visiting side after a 3-0 win in the matches played in Bengaluru.

As for the One-off Test, the game began with India women coming into bat first after winning the toss. Right from the get-go, the India openers put South Africa in a state of panic. The hosts opened with Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana coming into bat.

Both batters put in an excellent performance, completing their centuries and propelling India women to a flying start. Smriti Mandhana scored 149 runs in 161 deliveries, with Shafali Verma scoring a ton as well.

By the time the afternoon session ended, Shafali Verma had scored 165 runs and continued her onslaught, punishing South Africa’s bowling attack whenever the opportunity presented itself.

Satheesh Shubha came in to bat after the wicket of Smriti Mandhana, but she had a short stay on the crease. Shubha could only manage 15 off 27 deliveries, as Nadine de Klerk got the better of the youngster. India women had amassed 334 runs to their name by the time session two of Day 1 ended. In the second session, India scored 204 runs, putting forth a marvellous performance.

As for South Africa women, Nadine de Klerk and Delmi Tucker were the only wicket takers for the side until session two, with one wicket each to their names. After a whitewash in the three-game ODI series, this was not the start that the visitors had envisioned for themselves.

As the game progresses, India women continue to mount up the pressure, thanks to the stellar start provided by the duo of Verma and Mandhana.

However, Shafali seemed to be in no mood to put a halt to her eye-soothing strokes, as she went on to double her score, getting to her first-ever double-hundred. With this stupendous knock, the young batter became only the second woman to do so after former legendary cricketer Mithali Raj, who had scored the first double hundred for the country. Notably, Shafali’s also became the fastest cricketer to reach the prestigious landmark, ending her 197-ball stay at the crease, running herself out on 205.

Here’s how fans reacted on X to the knocks of Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana on Day 1 of the Chennai Test against South Africa:

2⃣0⃣5⃣ runs
1⃣9⃣7⃣ deliveries
2⃣3⃣ fours
8⃣ sixes

WHAT. A. KNOCK 👏👏

Well played @TheShafaliVerma!

Follow the match ▶️ https://t.co/4EU1Kp6YTG#TeamIndia | #INDvSA | @IDFCFIRSTBank

— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) June 28, 2024

Indian Women Cricketers gave history.🇮🇳#ViratKohli #INDvsENG2024 #T20WorldCup2024 #ROADTOSTATEHOUSE #ICCMensT20WorldCup2024 #INDWvsSAW

— yadav Boy Rahul (@yadavBoyRahul4) June 28, 2024

Smriti Mandhana’s dazzling performance : 🚀🔥

– Runs: 149
– Balls: 161
– Boundaries: 27 fours, 1 six

Setting records with in women’s Test cricket! 🇮🇳🔥 #SmritiMandhana #WomensCricket #INDWvsSAW

— XCric (@XForMatchTwets) June 28, 2024

👉Smriti Mandhana 149 against South Africa women team
👉Star of Indian Cricket 💥
👉Show us a better opening pair in Women’s cricket with Shafali Verma 🔥🔥
👉test match #INDvsSA #INDWvsSAW

— Coach Sunil Poonia (@Coach_Poonia7) June 28, 2024

Smriti Mandhana in this Tour against South Africa:

– 117(127) in 1st ODI Match.
– 136(120) in 2nd ODI Match.
– 90(83) in 3rd ODI Match.
– 149(161) in Test Match#indvsa #indvssa #indwvssaw #crickettwitter

— Chetan Bhadu (@ChetanBhadu4) June 28, 2024

Are the Indian women too good or South Africa very poor? Is the pitch heavily in favour of the batters? Scoring at 5.5 per over consistently is incredible. Waiting for South Africa to bat #INDwvSAw #WomensCricket

— Vijeet Rathi (@vijeet_rathi) June 28, 2024

Delmi tucker strikes and first breakthrough for South Africans🙌

Mandhana missed 150 by a run 💔 but played a amazing inning though 👏👏#indvssa #indvsa #indwvssaw #crickettwitter #womentest

— Chetan Bhadu (@ChetanBhadu4) June 28, 2024

Smriti Mandhana & Shafali Varma double century partnership 🔥🔥🔥

Both scored century 💥

Smriti Mandhana continuing his purple form 🔥🔥🔥

Shafali Varma coming back form 💥#IndwvsSAw #IndvsSA

— Cric Irfan (@Irfan_irru_17) June 28, 2024

3rd ton 💯 in this series !
4th consecutive 90+ scores !
Smriti Mandhana what are you smoking!
Owned Chinnaswamy , now Chepauk too!
Shefali joins the party too!

🇮🇳 women toying with 🇿🇦 bowlers in Chennai #INDWvsSAW #INDvsSA

— Jackson Dass Antony (@AJacksonDass) June 28, 2024

5⃣0⃣ for vice-captain @mandhana_smriti

5⃣0⃣ for @TheShafaliVerma

1⃣0⃣0⃣-run stand between the two as #TeamIndia make a solid start 💪 💪

Follow The Match ▶️ https://t.co/4EU1Kp7wJe#INDvSA | @IDFCFIRSTBank

— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) June 28, 2024

That maiden international century feeling 💯🤗

Follow the match ▶️ https://t.co/4EU1Kp7wJe#TeamIndia | #INDvSA | @IDFCFIRSTBank | @TheShafaliVerma

— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) June 28, 2024

𝙎𝙚𝙣𝙨𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙎𝙢𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙞! 🙌

The #TeamIndia vice-captain brings up her 2nd Test TON 👏👏

Follow the match ▶️ https://t.co/4EU1Kp7wJe#INDvSA | @IDFCFIRSTBank | @mandhana_smriti

— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) June 28, 2024

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