India register 525/4 in one day, rewrite history books with highest score in single day's play in Test cricket

India enjoyed a record-breaking outing on day one of their one-off Test against South Africa at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. 

Captain Harmanpreet Kaur decided to bat first on a good batting pitch and her decision was completely justified as India ended day one on a record total of 525/4 in 98 overs. The star of the show was Shafali Verma as the young opener scored a whirlwind double-century to lead India's charge with the bat.

The right-handed batter registered the fastest double-century in women's Tests. She scored her maiden Test double hundred in just 194 balls. The record was previously held by Australia’s Annabel Sutherlands, who had scored a 248-ball double century against South Africa earlier this year.

She also became only the second Indian after the legendary Mithali Raj to score a double century in women's Tests. Verma eventually scored 205 runs off 197 balls with the help of 23 fours and 8 sixes.

Apart from Verma, her opening partner Smriti Mandhana enjoyed a brilliant outing as well. The southpaw scored 149 runs before Delmi Tucker dismissed her in the 52nd over to give the tourists a much-needed breakthrough.

Before being dismissed, Mandhana shared a record stand of 292 runs with Verma for the first wicket. Jemimah Rodrigues scored a fifty as well and departed after scoring 55 runs. At stumps, Kaur and Richa Ghosh were unbeaten on 42 and 43 runs respectively.

A record-breaking day for India:

The stunning batting display helped India break a number of monumental records. They have broken the record for the most runs scored by a team in a single day's play in Test cricket across men's and women's cricket. The record was previously held by Sri Lanka for scoring 509 runs against Bangladesh way back in 2002.

India also became the first team to touch the 500-run mark in a day in women's cricket. The highest one-day score by a team in women's cricket was 431 runs scored by England against New Zealand way back in 1935. This is also the second time this year that India have scored more than 400 runs in a single day. Earlier this year, they had scored 410 for 7 against England.

Most runs in a day’s play in Women’s Tests

525: India Women (525/4 in 98 overs) vs South Africa, 2024 - Chennai
475: New Zealand Women (44) v England Women (431-4), 1935 - Christchurch
449: Australia Women (204-5) v England Women (245-9), 2022 - Canberra
410: India Women (410-7) v England Women, 2023 - Navi Mumbai