Indian pair of Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana on Friday recorded the highest opening partnership in women's Test cricket, sharing a commendable 292-run stand on the opening day of the one-off Test against South Africa here.
Shafali and Smriti thus surpassed the 241-run opening stand by Pakistan's Sajjida Shah and Kiran Baluch against West Indies in Karachi in 2004.
It was also the second highest partnership in Women's Test for any wicket, behind the 309-run stand between Australian pair of LA Reeler and DA Annetts for the third wicket against England in Wetherby in 1987.
Shafali and Smriti thus went past their previous best opening stand of 167 against England in Bristol in 2021.
The duo thus also eclipsed the previous highest Indian partnership for any wicket -- 275 by Poonam Raut and Thirush Kamini against South Africa in Mysore 2014.
The opening pair looked in ominous touch during their authoritative stand, which ended after Smriti fell short of her 150 by a run after being dismissed by Delmi Tucker.
Shafali becomes fastest woman double-centurian in Tests
Shafali Verma smashed the fastest double-century in the history of women's Test cricket, eclipsing Annabel Sutherland of Australia during the one-off Test against South Africa here on Friday.
Shafali, 20, scored her double ton off just 194 balls, bettering Sutherland's feat, which came off 248 balls against South Africa earlier this year.
Shafali also became the second Indian after former skipper Mithali Raj to hit a double century in Test cricket after almost 22 long years here.
Mithali's 214 had come off 407 balls and the former India skipper achieved during the drawn second Test against England at Taunton in August, 2002.
Shafali struck 23 fours and eight maximums during her attacking knock.
She brought up her twin ton with consecutive sixes of off-spinner Delmi Tucker, followed by a single.
Shafali was finally run out at 205 off 197 balls.
Besides, her opening partner Smriti Mandhana also made an attacking 149 off 161 balls wit the help of 27 boundaries and one six to stitch a formidable opening partnership of 292 runs, which came off in just 52 overs.
India are going great guns against South Africa on the opening day scoring at close to a run-a-ball.
