Akshata Sharma
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NEW DELHI: Shafali Verma, the dynamic Indian opener, created history on Friday by smashing the quickest double-century in women's Test cricket during the one-off match against South Africa.
The 20-year-old surpassed Australia's Annabel Sutherland, who had previously achieved the feat off 248 balls earlier this year. Shafali reached her double ton in just 194 deliveries.
With this remarkable achievement, Shafali became the second Indian after former captain Mithali Raj to score a double century in Test cricket, nearly 22 years after Raj's feat.
Mithali had scored 214 off 407 balls during the drawn second Test against England at Taunton in August 2002.
Throughout her aggressive innings, Shafali struck an impressive 23 fours and eight sixes. She reached her milestone with back-to-back sixes off off-spinner Delmi Tucker, followed by a single. Her brilliant knock finally came to an end when she was run out for 205 off 197 balls.
Shafali's opening partner, Smriti Mandhana, also played an attacking innings, scoring 149 off 161 balls with 27 boundaries and one six. Together, they formed a formidable opening partnership of 292 runs, which came off just 52 overs.
India has been dominating the opening day against South Africa, scoring at a blistering pace close to a run-a-ball.
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