WATCH: Shafali Verma’s leap of joy to celebrate historic double century in IND-W vs SA-W one-off Test

With openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana laying a strong foundation, India Women are bossing the ongoing one-off Test against South Africa Women. Shafali registered her maiden double hundred while Mandhana notched up her second Test century to take India past 450 on Day 1 (Friday) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

Shafali slammed 205 runs off just 197 balls before unfortunately getting run out in the 75^th over. The 20-year-old thus made history by scoring the fastest double century in Women's Tests. She broke the record of Australian star Annabelle Sutherland who achieved this milestone in 248 balls against South Africa in February 2024.

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Fastest Double Hundreds in Women’s Tests

194 balls - Shafali Verma (IND) vs South Africa (2024)

256 balls - Annabel Sutherland (AUS) vs South Africa (2024)

313 balls - Karen Rolton (AUS) vs England (2001)

345 balls - Michelle Goszko (AUS) vs England (2001)

374 balls - Ellyse Perry (AUS) vs England (2017)

Shafali also became the only second Indian to score a double century in women's Tests and the 10^th cricketer overall. Legendary Mithali Raj is the other Indian woman who achieved this massive feat - against England back in 2002 in Taunton. Notably, Shafali, who is playing only her fifth Test match, converted her maiden Test century into a double hundred.

Shafali, Mandhana script a historic partnership in Chennai 

The Indian openers completed their respective centuries in quick succession. Mandhana, who earlier scored a couple of hundreds in the three-match ODI series, is continuing her dream run. The southpaw struck 149 off 161 balls while stitching a historic partnership with Shafali.

Also Read: Fans in all praise for star India batter Smriti Mandhana as she misses 'historic' third successive century

The duo put on a commendable stand of 292 runs - the highest opening partnership in women's Test cricket. They surpassed the 241-run partnership between Pakistan's Sajjida Shah and Kiran Baluch against West Indies in Karachi in 2004.

It is also the second-highest women's Test partnership for any wicket. The 309-run partnership between Australian pair LA Reeler and DA Annett for the third wicket against England at Wetherby in 1987 is the highest.