Shafali Verma stuns cricket world with fastest-ever double century in Women's Test history

India women batter Shafali Verma has scripted history in the women's Test cricket. The opening batter registered the fastest-ever double-century in the longest format of the game, surpassing Australia's Annabel Sutherland at the top of the list. 

India batter Shafali Verma achieved the feat during the ongoing one-off Test against the South Africa Women's National Cricket Team. The match between the two teams is underway at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai and Day 1 saw complete dominance from Indian batters. 

Shafali Verma in particular was been sensational with the bat and put the India team on the top. She looked in magnificent touch right from the start and made sure that she took the game away from the opposition on Day 1 of the Test match against the South Africa team. 

Shafali Verma looked in golden touch right from the start as she played some blistering strokes in her innings. The opening batter brought up her first century in Test cricket, taking her team off to a flying start with the bat in the Test match. 

Shafali Verma along with Smriti Mandhana (149) made the South Africa Women bowlers look clueless. The duo added 292 runs for the opening partnership and registered the highest-ever opening partnership for India Women in the history of Test cricket. 

After Smriti Mandhana got out, Shafali Verma took charge and made sure that she converted her century into a double ton. The opening batter achieved the feat in 194 balls, which is the fastest by any batter in the longest format of the game in women's Tests. 

𝟏𝟎𝟎 + 𝟏𝟎𝟎 = Shafali Verma 🫡#INDvSA #IDFCFirstBankWomensTest #JioCinemaSports pic.twitter.com/LRDKoXOd0d

— JioCinema (@JioCinema) June 28, 2024

Fastest double century in women's Test cricket; Shafali Verma tops the list 

Shafali Verma now has the fastest double century in women's Test cricket. She surpassed Annabel Sutherland's tally of 248 balls to top the list. She is also the second Indian batter to hit a double century in Test cricket. 

Here's the list of fastest double century in women's Test cricket [Balls faced[: 

[194] Shafali Verma IND v SA, today 

[248] Annabel Sutherland AUS v SA, 2024

[306] Karen Rolton AUS v ENG, 2001

[317] Tammy Beaumont ENG v AUS, 2023

[343] Micehlle Goszko AUS v ENG, 2001

[371] Ellyse Perry AUS v ENG, 2017 

Shafali Verma ended with an innings of 205 runs off 197 balls. She had an unfortunate end to her innings as she got run out. With the way she was batting, she looked all set for big innings. The opening batter also slammed 23 fours and 8 sixes in her innings. 

Based on the sensational with the bat from Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana, India ended Day 1 on top. After their innings, Jemimah Rodrigues (55) hit a vital fifty while skipper Harmanpreet Kaur was batting at 42 runs as India ended Day 1 on 525 runs, which is their highest on Day 1 of the Test game. They would be hoping to add a few more runs on Day 2 and take the game completely away from the opposition.