The sun beat down on the DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai as India Women took to the field on December 14th, ready to face England in the only Test match of the series. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur, winning the toss, opted to bat first, a decision that would prove to be a masterstroke.
The Indian openers, Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma, started cautiously, navigating the early swing of English pacers Katherine Brunt and Anya Shrubsole. However, once they settled in, the runs began to flow. Mandhana, elegant and graceful, stroked the ball to all parts of the ground, reaching 17 before falling to Brunt. Verma, the young prodigy, unleashed her trademark aggression, smashing 19 off just 22 balls before she too was dismissed.
With the score at 47/2, the onus shifted to the experienced campaigners. Mithali Raj, the legendary batter, joined Deepti Sharma, and the pair stitched together a magnificent partnership. Raj, showcasing her immense skill and patience, compiled a masterful 86, anchoring the innings. Sharma, on the other hand, played the perfect supporting role, contributing a valuable 47.
After Raj’s departure, Pooja Vastrakar and Harmanpreet Kaur took over the mantle. Vastrakar, promoted up the order, played a fearless innings, smashing boundaries at will and reaching a well-deserved half-century. Kaur, the skipper, led by example, scoring a belligerent 68, peppering the English bowlers with powerful drives and lofted shots.
The lower order chipped in with valuable contributions, with Taniya Bhatia and Sneh Rana adding quickfire 20s. By the time the final wicket fell, India had piled up a monumental 410 runs on the board, the highest score ever by an Indian team in a women’s Test match.
The bowlers then took to the field, looking to capitalize on the mountain of runs their teammates had scored. England, facing a daunting task, managed to reach 76/3 by the end of the day, with Tammy Beaumont the sole shining light with an unbeaten 43.
India’s performance on Day 1 was nothing short of sensational. The batters were in imperious form, showcasing a blend of technique and power. The bowlers, though not as successful as the batters, still managed to pick up three wickets and keep England at bay.
This dominant performance has set the stage for an intriguing battle in the remaining days of the Test match. Whether England can find a way back into the game or whether India will go on to secure a historic victory remains to be seen.
Here are some additional points you may find interesting:
This was only the third time in women’s Test history that a team had scored 400+ runs in a single day.
India’s 410 was also the highest score ever recorded in a women’s Test in India.
Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma’s opening partnership of 47 was the highest by an Indian pair in women’s Tests.
Mithali Raj’s 86 was her 23rd Test half-century, the most by any player in women’s Tests.
Deepti Sharma’s 47 was her highest score in women’s Tests.
Pooja Vastrakar’s 59 was her second Test half-century.
Harmanpreet Kaur’s 68 was her highest score in a home Test
