INDW vs SAW: Shefali and Smriti Mandhana put on the biggest partnership for the first wicket in the history of women’s Test cricket.

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INDW vs SAW: Biggest partnership for the first wicket

Highest partnership in women’s Test cricket for the first wicket: The Indian pair of Shefali Verma and Smriti Mandhana put on a mammoth 292-run partnership on the first day of the one-off Test against South Africa here on Friday, a new record for the first wicket in women’s cricket. Shefali and Mandhana thus surpassed Pakistan’s 241-run partnership of Sajida Shah and Kiran Baloch against the West Indies in Karachi in 2004. This is the second highest partnership for any wicket in a women’s Test after the 309-run partnership between the Australian pair of LA Reeler and DA Annetts for the third wicket against England at Wetherby in 1987.

Shefali and Mandhana thus bettered their previous best partnership of 167 against England in Bristol in 2021. The duo also surpassed the previous highest Indian partnership for any wicket. The record was previously held by Poonam Raut and Tirush Kamini who shared a 275-run partnership against South Africa in Mysore in 2014.

This partnership was broken by Delmi Tucker dismissing Mandhana for 149 runs. She became the only batsman to score the fastest double century in the history of women’s cricket. Shefali Verma completed his double century in 194 balls.

Batsman with the highest opening partnership in women’s Test cricket

Smriti Mandhana and Shefali Verma – 292 runs

Kiran Baloch and Sajida Shah – 241 runs

Caroline Atkins and Erin Brindle – 200 runs


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