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, in a historic display of skill and determination, etched her name into the annals of cricket history during India‘s one-off Test against South Africa at Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium.
Shafali Verma’s record-breaking double century
On Day 1 of the match, Shafali achieved the remarkable milestone of becoming only the second Indian woman to score a double century in Test cricket. Her innings, characterized by aggressive stroke play and impeccable timing, saw her reach 205 runs off just 197 deliveries. This included an impressive tally of 23 boundaries and 8 towering sixes before an unfortunate run-out ended her innings at the striker’s end. This innings not only made her the youngest Indian to reach 500 Test runs but also the second youngest to score a Test hundred, following in the footsteps of the legendary Mithali Raj.
Recognition and legacy
Shafali’s double century also set a new benchmark in women’s Test cricket, breaking the previous record for the fastest double century held by Australia‘s Annabel Sutherland, achieved in 248 balls earlier in 2024 against South Africa. She joined a select group of cricketers, becoming only the second Indian and the tenth overall to achieve this milestone in women’s Tests.
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Memorable partnership with Smriti Mandhana
Batting first after India won the toss, Shafali and her opening partner created history by setting the record for the highest opening partnership in Women’s Tests, amassing an impressive 292 runs off 52 overs. Shafali’s fifty came off 60 balls, followed swiftly by her maiden Test century off 158 deliveries. In the post-lunch session, she accelerated her scoring rate to reach the double century mark.
Despite Mandhana’s dismissal, Shafali continued to dominate the South African bowling attack, displaying her attacking prowess until an unfortunate run-out ended her innings just short of Mithali’s record of 248 runs. Despite the disappointment of falling short of another milestone, Shafali received a warm ovation from the Chepauk crowd for her extraordinary achievement.
Here’s how Fans reacted:
All of us obsessed with Indian cricket should rejoice at the stellar performance today of our unjustly ♐neglected women Test cricketers!
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor)
200 FOR SHAFALI VERM🥀A! 194 BALLS. 22 F💯OURS, 8 SIXES. 292 minutes
WHAT AN INNINGS! ౠThe crowd in Chepauk is thrilled! |
— Lavanya 🎙️🎥👩🏻💻 (@lav_narayanan)
Shafali Verma becomes the second Indian woman after Mithali Raj (while being a 19-year old vs ENG at Taunton in 2002) to score a double century in women's Test cricket.
— Rhitankar Bandyopadhyay (@rhitankar8616)
Last night, we celebrated India's thumping win over England in WC T20 semifinal. More reason to rejoice. Shafali Verma just smashed a super unbeaten double century in Test against S Africa in Chennai. The Rohtak girl scored 205 hammering in just 197 deliveries with 8 sixes and 23…
— Avijit Ghosh (@cinemawaleghosh)
Soak in the moment, Shafali; you're a Test Double Centurion 💙
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan)
Double hundred for Shafali Verma 👏🏏
— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ)
Shafali verma, that was an innings of pure class,ও disdain and lack of re🍌morse for the opposition. Batted RSA out of the game on day 1.
— ebra 🇵🇹🇩🇪 (@GalacticoWrld)
Shafali 200 my my my my 🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁💪💪💪💪
— mohsinali (@mohsinaliisb)
Shafali fails ⛎to go past Mithali Raj. Yet this remains a great innings from her. Her running still needs a lot of work.
— The Cricket Philosopher (@outof22yards)
Terrible end to what is one of the all-ꦗtime great innings from an Indian
🏅Shafali Verma, thank you for the entertainment, nobody else in world cricket could have pulled that innings off
— Mohit Shah (@mohit_shah17)
200 for Shafali!!!
— Srinivas R (@srini_r_twit)
There's something with Haryana openers and double-hundreds at better than run-a-ball.
Shafali Verma gets to her maiden double-centuries in 194 balls, the fastest in women's Tests. Moved from 187 to 200 in three balls, with 6, 6 and 1. |
— Hemant Brar (@HemantBrar_)
Shafali Verma 200* against SA women 👏🏼
Good to see her build the temperament to play long inni🔯ngs!
— Sam Mathad (@sameermathad)
Shafali Verma made history in Chennai by smashing the 𝗳𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗵𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗱 in women's Test cricket. She became only the 10th player overall to achieve this milestone and only the second Indian to do so.
— Vijay Anaparthi (@VijayCricketFan)
What an innings by Shafali. 205! Run out though! ꦓWell played!
— Dharya Puri (धैर्य पूरी) (@DPThirdCharm)
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This article was first published at , a Cricket Times company.
