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IND W Vs SA W | Mandhana & Shafali's Marathon Partnership Breaks Multiple Records

Smriti Mandhana & Shafali Verma registered the highest opening partnership in Women's Tests (Twitter)Smriti Mandhana & Shafali Verma registered the highest opening partnership in Women's Tests (Twitter)

In an innings that will be remembered for generations, Indian openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma stitched together a sensational partnership, rewriting the record books and setting the cricketing world alight.

The dynamic duo put on a masterclass, compiling the highest-ever opening stand in women's Test cricket with a partnership of 292 runs.

IND W vs SA W Test: Mandhana, Verma dominate in historic stand

Smriti Mandhana, the ever elegant southpaw, and Shafali Verma, the fearless youngster, took to the South African bowling attack with grace and aggression.

Their opening stand broke the long-standing 20-year-old record of the highest partnership for the first wicket in Women’s Test cricket, surpassing the 241-run partnership set by Pakistan's Sajjida Shah and Kiran Baluch against West Indies in Karachi in 2004.

Mandhana, the Indian vice-captain, showcased her class and experience, reaching her second Test century in 122 balls, filled with 19 boundaries.

Verma, displaying her attacking instincts, notched up her maiden Test ton off just 113 deliveries, including 15 fours and two sixes. The Indian openers were relentless, thrashing the South African bowlers to all corners of the ground.




Their colossal partnership came agonizingly close to breaking the all-time record for the highest partnership for any wicket in women's Test cricket.

The coveted record of 309 runs, set by Australia's Lindsay Reeler and Denise Annetts against England in 1987, remained intact as Mandhana fell just short, dismissed for 149 by Delmi Tucker in the 52nd over. Her magnificent innings featured 27 fours and one six, leaving the crowd in awe.

Despite falling short of the highest partnership, their 292-run stand now stands as the second-highest in the history of women's Test cricket for any wicket.

Moreover, the partnership between Mandhana and Verma not only set a new benchmark for Test cricket but also achieved several remarkable milestones.

Their stand is now the highest-ever partnership for India in women’s Test cricket and the highest partnership by any Asian pair. It also marks the highest partnership in women's Test cricket since 1987. 

Additionally, this historic feat is the first time Indian openers have both scored centuries in the same innings.

 Meanwhile, at the time of writing, India Women are firmly placed at 324/1 after 58 overs, with Verma unbeaten on 156 and Shubha Satheesh providing solid support with 15 runs.