SPORTS : In a historic display of batting prowess, the Indian women’s cricket team has rewritten the record books with an unprecedented performance in their one-off Test match against South Africa. Played at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, India’s innings of 603/6 marks the highest-ever team total in the 90-year history of women’s Test cricket. This achievement underscores India’s dominance and sets a new standard for excellence in the sport.

From the outset, India seized control after winning the toss and opting to bat first. Opener Shafali Verma’s extraordinary double century and Smriti Mandhana’s century laid the foundation for India’s monumental score. Their partnership of 292 runs for the first wicket set a new record for the highest opening stand in women’s Test cricket, showcasing their exceptional skill and determination.

The team’s performance on the field was nothing short of spectacular, surpassing Australia’s previous record of 575/9 to become the first women’s team to breach the 600-run mark in a Test innings. The declaration at 603/6 on Day 2 solidified their commanding position in the match and etched their name in cricketing history.

India’s achievement resonates beyond the current match, signaling a new era of dominance and resilience in women’s cricket. It serves as an inspiration to aspiring cricketers across the globe, and it reaffirms India’s growing stature in the international cricketing community. As the team continues to break barriers and redefine expectations, this historic feat will be remembered as a defining moment in the evolution of women’s Test cricket worldwide.