Smriti Mandhana and Shefali Verma’s Record Partnership Against South Africa

In a thrilling match between India and South Africa Women at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, Smriti Mandhana and Shefali Verma built a record-breaking 292-run partnership. Mandhana scored an impressive 149 runs off 161 balls, hitting 27 fours and a six. Verma played a magnificent innings of 205 runs off 197 balls, with 23 fours and eight sixes.

Mandhana spoke about her dismissal, saying, “Really happy. Always enjoyed batting alongside her (Shafali). We were trying to take a single, it was a lazy shot and I was really happy that Shafali could get to 150 and to 200.” She also discussed the pitch, noting that the ball kept low and turned later in the day.

India ended Day 1 with a score of 525/4 in 98 overs. Other notable contributions came from Jemimah Rodrigues (55 runs), Harmanpreet Kaur (42* runs), and Richa Ghosh (43* runs). For South Africa, Delmi Tucker was the standout bowler, taking two wickets for 141 runs in 26 overs.