Shafali Verma Records Fastest 200 In Women's Test Cricket History

The 20-year-old Indian cricketer Shafali Verma created history on the opening day of the only Test between India Women and South Africa Women in Chennai. She recorded the fastest double-century in Women’s Test cricket history. Verma also recorded the most sixes in a Women’s Test innings history. It was also a historic day for India Women, who scored the most runs in a day in Women’s Test history by breaking an 89-year-old record.

It was a dominating day for the hosts India Women. Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur chose to bat first after winning the toss. Both Indian openers, Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana, dominated on the opening day.

While both openers scored big hundreds, they set a 292-run partnership for the first wicket. While Mandhana was dismissed for 149 runs in 161 balls (27 fours and only six), Verma completed her double-century in 194 balls and scored 205 off 197 balls (23 fours and eight sixes) before getting out.

Later, Jemimah Rodrigues scored 55 runs, while the skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (42*) and Richa Ghosh (43*) remained unbeaten on 40s.

At the end of the day, India Women scored 525/4 in 98 overs.

Here are some key stats for the day.

Shafali Verma scored a record-breaking double-century  

• Verma became the 10th batter and second Indian batter to record a Women’s Test double-century.
• With her 194-ball 200, Verma recorded the fastest double hundred in Women’s Test history. The previous record was a 248-ball double century by Australian cricketer Annabel Sutherland against South Africa Women at Perth in February 2024.
• Verma scored the double hundred at the age of 20 years and 152 days. She became the second youngest batter to record a double century in Women’s Test history. The record holder is former Indian cricketer Mithali Raj, who recorded her only WTest double-century at the age of 19 years and 254 days (vs England Women at Taunton in 2002).  
• Verma’s 205-run knock was the second-highest individual score by an Indian cricketer in Women’s Test history. The record is 214 by Mithali Raj against England Women at Taunton in August 2002.
• With her 205-run knock, Verma recorded the seventh-highest individual score in Women’s Test history.

Shafali Verma recorded the most sixes by a batter in a Women's Test innings 

• Verma recorded eight sixes in her maiden Women’s Test double-century. It was a new record for most sixes in an innings by a batter in Women’s Test history. The next record is only two sixes, which was achieved six times in Women’s Test history, including Verma recording it twice.

• Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana set up a 292-run partnership for the opening wicket. It was the record partnership for an opening wicket in Women’s Test history. The previous first wicket record partnership was 241 runs between Pakistan openers Kiran Baluch and Sajjida Shah against West Indies Women at Karachi in 2004.
• Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana’s 292-run first-wicket partnership was the second-highest partnership for any wicket in Women’s Test history. The record is a 309-run partnership between Australian cricketers Lindsay Reeler and Denise Annetts for the third wicket against England Women at Wetherby in August 1987.

• India Women scored 525/4 at the end of the opening day. It was the record total in a day in Women’s Test history. The previous record was scoring 475 runs during the opening day of the 1935 Christchurch Test between New Zealand Women (44 all out) and England Women (431/4).