"Just a trailer of smashing SA. Movie releasing Saturday"- Fans react after India script history with highest ever total in a day of Women's TestÂ
Indian Women's cricket team made history on Friday by notching up the highest score in a single day of the Women's Test. They managed to post 525/4 on Day 1 of the Test match against South Africa at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
After opting to bat first in the contest, openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma put on a marathon 292-run partnership, giving a sensational start to the hosts. Mandhana continued her great form in the series with yet another century.
She unfortunately fell one run short of 150 after looking set for a much bigger score. Her partner Shafali Verma (205) continued at the other end and smashed her maiden Test double century. She eventually departed in the 75th over after a misunderstanding while running between the wickets.
Jemimah Rodrigues (55), Harmanpreet Kaur (42*), and Richa Ghosh (43*) then performed well in the middle-order and ensured the platform created by the openers did not go in vain. Harmanpreet and Richa remained unbeaten at stumps as they took India to 525/4 in 98 overs. 431 by England in 1935 was the previous highest total in a single day in Women's Test cricket.
Fans took note of the wonderful achievement of the Indian women's team and shared their reactions through posts on X. Here are some of them:
"Absolutely phenomenal! These girls deserve medals for their incredible performance", a fan wrote.
"Just a trailer of smashing SA. Movie releasing Saturday", a fan wrote referencing about Men's T20 World Cup final.
"India women domination over SA double hundred by Shafali vera (205) run out and queen smriti 149 great knock.... India after day 1 stumps 525-04 Applaud for our lady Power", a fan wrote.
"I think to get 500+ on day 1 is a top effort" - India vice-captain Smriti Mandhana
Speaking to the broadcasters after play on day 1, Indian opener Smriti Mandhana opined that her side put on a top effort with the bat to get a massive total on the board.
Reflecting on her partnership with Shafali Verma and the day's play, Mandhana said:
"I think to get 500+ on day 1 is a top effort. It was a good wicket to bat on, but the way the two us batted got us the start we needed. Shafali batted really well, made batting look really easy. If we are going well, we know each other's strengths. But we pretty much know how our games are, and we go accordingly. On day 1, this is a big score. But the wicket did not do a lot, so, the discussion will be on as to when we can declare."
Shedding light on her thought process during her double-century knock, Shafali Verma said:
"I wanted to occupy the crease today, but when the ball was there to hit, I went after the bowling. Against spin, the idea was to play according to the merit of the ball. The ball was turning a lot more than before towards the end of the day, so that is something to take into consideration."
What score do you think will India target before declaring on day 2? Let us know your opinions in the comments section.