Shafali Verma’s audacity and Smriti Mandhana’s flair mixed well in a record-breaking partnership, but their phenomenal effort was ruined by a dramatic batting collapse on the second day of India Women’s one-off Test versus England Women here on Thursday.

England ended up posting the highest-ever total against India after they declared their first innings at 396 for nine, but the visiting team openers then gave the hosts a befitting reply with a 167-run stand. Shafali and Mandhana surpassed the previous best of 153 between Gargi Banerji and Sandhya Agarwal against Australia in Mumbai back in 1984.

Shafali punished the English bowlers with her range of strokes in a breathtaking 96-run knock, while the left-handed Mandhana was all grace in her 78-run innings.

However, from a strong 167 for none, India lost five wickets for the addition of just 16 runs before ending the day at 187 for five.

Brief scores: England Women 396/9 decl (S. Dunkley 74 n.o.; S. Rana 4/131). India Women 187/5 (S. Verma 96, S. Mandhana 78). At stumps, Day 2.