Shafali and Smriti surpassed their previous record opening stand of 167 against England in 2021.
Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana of India shared the highest opening partnership in women’s Test cricket on Friday, scoring 292 runs on the first day of the one-off Test against South Africa here. Shafali and Smriti topped Pakistan’s Sajjida Shah and Kiran Baluch’s 241-run opening stand against the West Indies in Karachi in 2004. It was also the second-highest partnership in a Women’s Test for any wicket, trailing only the 309-run stand between Australians LA Reeler and DA Annetts for the third wicket against England in Wetherby in 1987.Shafali and Smriti therefore improved on their previous record opening stand of 167 against England in Bristol in 2021.
Thus, in their match against South Africa in Mysore in 2014, Poonam Raut and Thirush Kamini’s 275 partnership stood as the previous record Indian partnership for any wicket.
The opening duo appeared menacing during their commanding stand, which came to an end when Smriti was removed by Delmi Tucker, one run shy of her 150.
But Shafali joined Mithali Raj, Kamini, and Snadhya Agarwal as the fourth Indian to score more over 150.
With Shafali batting at 165, the India Women were at 334 for two in 60.0 overs at Tea. The second wicket to fall was Satheesh Shubha (who is fifteen).
