India’s openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma dominated South Africa’s bowlers on the first day of their Test match in Chennai. Mandhana scored a strong 149, while Verma hit an impressive double century with eight sixes, leading India to a massive 525/4 – the highest score ever on the opening day of a Test match at Chepauk.

The day started slowly for the Indian openers, but once Verma hit a boundary, they never looked back. Their partnership reached 292 runs, with both players scoring big centuries. Verma’s aggressive shots, including her record-breaking sixes, left South Africa struggling.

After a brief pause for lunch, Mandhana and Verma continued their attack, frustrating the South African bowlers. They kept hitting boundaries and reached their centuries on consecutive balls. Mandhana, who had already scored two centuries and a 90 in the ODIs, was aiming for a double century but got out at 149.

Verma’s record-breaking double century

Despite this, Verma kept up the pressure hitting back-to-back sixes and then a single to reach her double century. Her powerful batting along with Jemimah Rodrigues quick runs, added to South Africa’s troubles. Verma was eventually run out, and Rodrigues got out after passing fifty.

As the day ended, India kept scoring, with Harmanpreet Kaur and Richa Ghosh taking advantage of the tired bowlers. India finished with 525 runs, setting a new record for the highest opening day score in Women’s Test history.

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