(AP Photo)
Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma made history by setting a new record for the highest-ever opening partnership in women’s Test cricket, amassing an unbeaten 293 runs together. This surpassed the previous record of 241 runs, which had stood for 20 years and was achieved by Pakistan’s Sajjida Shah and Kiran Baluch against West Indies in Karachi in 2004.
During India’s innings after winning the toss and electing to bat, Mandhana, serving as the vice-captain, reached her second Test century, taking 122 balls and hitting 19 boundaries along the way. Verma, the young sensation, achieved her maiden century in Test cricket, scoring her hundred off 113 deliveries with 15 fours and two sixes.
The duo came remarkably close to breaking the overall women’s Test cricket partnership record of 309 runs, set by Australia’s Lindsay Reeler and Denise Annetts against England in 1987.
Mandhana’s innings ended when she was dismissed for 149 off 161 balls, striking 27 fours and one six, by Delmi Tucker in the 52nd over of India’s first innings.
Record-breaking partnerships by each wicket in women’s Test cricket:
1st Wicket:
– The highest-ever partnership: Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma for IND Women against SA Women, scoring an unbeaten 310 runs at Chennai in 2024.
2nd Wicket:
– Poonam Raut and MD Thirush Kamini hold the record for India Women, posting 275 runs against SA Women in Mysore during 2014.
3rd Wicket:
– Lindsay Reeler and Denise Annetts achieved the highest partnership of 309 runs for AUS Women against ENG Women at Wetherby in 1987.
4th Wicket:
– Karen Rolton and Lisa Broadfoot recorded a partnership of 253 runs for AUS Women versus ENG Women in Leeds in 2001.
5th Wicket:
– Cri-Zelda Brits and Marizanne Kapp managed a partnership of 138 runs for SA Women against ENG Women at Shenley in 2003.
6th Wicket:
– Rachael Haynes and Jodie Fields established a partnership of 229 runs for AUS Women against ENG Women in Worcester in 2009.
7th Wicket:
– Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami put together a partnership of 157 runs for India Women against ENG Women at Taunton in 2002.
8th Wicket:
– Denise Annetts and Sharon Griffiths set a partnership record of 181 runs for AUS Women against NZ Women in Auckland in 1990.
9th Wicket:
– Michelle Payne and Brenda Botha achieved a partnership of 107 runs for SA Women against NZ Women in Cape Town in 1972.
10th Wicket:
– Cathryn Fitzpatrick and Shelley Nitschke compiled a partnership of 119 runs for AUS Women against ENG Women in Hove in 2005.
