Shafali Varma scripts history, smashes fastest double hundred in women's tests hours after smashing fastest 100

Shafali Varma notched up her maiden double test century against South Africa on June 28.

Indian women’s team opener Shafali Varma scripted history when she notched up her maiden double test century against South Africa on June 28. Shafali has made history by smashing the fastest double ton in women’s test cricket history. The star batter achieved this feat during the one-off test against South Africa at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on June 28.

Interestingly just few hours before, the 20-year-old batter Shafali broke the record for fastest century in women’s test cricket, which was previously held by Janette Brittin of England. Janette smashed a 137-ball hundred against Australian women in 1984.

After winning the toss and opting to bat first, Indian openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma showed no mercy to the South African bowlers. The duo smashed Proteas bowlers all over the park in the first session as India reached 130/0 in 28 overs at lunch break.

After the lunch break, Shafali notched up her maiden test century in just 113 deliveries. Stylish left-handed batter Mandhana also smashed her century off 122 balls. 

The Indian openers stitched the opening partnership of 292 runs before Mandhana got out on 149 runs in just 161 balls. The left-hander hammered 27 boundaries and one six.

After sharing a 292-run opening stand, Mandhana and Shafali recorded the highest ever partnership for the first wicket in women’s test cricket. Previously, the record was held by Pakistan women’s team opener Kiran Baluch and Sajjida Shah, who scored 241 runs against West Indies women in 2004.

Shafali Verma hits the fastest double ton in women’s test cricket

The 20-year-old Shafali Verma dismantled South Africa’s bowling attack with her fearless display of batting. The Indian opener reached her maiden double century in just 194 deliveries and also broke the record for the fastest double ton in women’s test cricket history.

The right-handed batter Shafali broke the record of Australia’s Annabel Sutherland, who scored the fastest double century in women’s test cricket in 248 balls. Sutherland reached the historic milestone against South Africa earlier this year.

Soon after reaching the double century, Shafali Verma was adjudged run out after a miscommunication between her partner Jemimah Rodrigues in the 75th over of the first innings. Shafali smashed 205 runs in just 197 deliveries, which included 23 boundaries and eight sixes.

Batters to score fastest double century in women’s test cricket

1. Shafali Verma (IND) – 197 balls

2. Annabel Sutherland (AUS) – 248 balls

3. Karen Rolton (AUS) – 306 balls

4. Tammy Beaumont (ENG) – 317 balls

5. Michelle Goszko (AUS) – 343 balls

6. Ellyse Perry (AUS) – 371 balls

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