Harmanpreet Kaur-led India are on a record-breaking spree in the ongoing one-off Test against South Africa at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai. On Day 2, India became the first team to cross the 600-run mark in women's Test cricket. Harmanpreet declared the innings when wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh was dismissed. India's score was 603/6 after 115.1 overs.
The previous record belonged to Australia. They scored 575/9 before declaring against South Africa in Perth. Australia's record was only a little over four months old.
India's previous highest total in Test cricket was 473 which came against England in Nottingham last year.
Notably, this is the fourth-highest innings total at the venue in both men’s and women’s Test cricket. The men's team scored 759/7 before declaring against England in 2016.
Richa, Harmanpreet break 20-year-old partnership record
During the innings, Harmanpreet and Richa broke the record for highest partnership for fifth wicket. They shared a 143-run stand before Harmanpreet fell to Tumi Sekhukhune in the 113th over. The previous record belonged to South Africa's Johmari Logtenberg and Charlize van der Westhuizen. They shared a 138-run partnership against England on August 7, 2023.
For India, the previous-best fifth wicket partnership belonged to Hemlata Kala and Mamatha Maben. They shared a 133-run partnership for the fifth wicket against England in Lucknow on January 14, 2002.
Indian batters on a roll
Harmanpreet scored 69 runs from 115 balls including four fours. Richa attacked and scored 86 runs from 90 deliveries. Her knock was studded with 16 fours. Earlier, on Day 1, Jemimah Rodrigues scored 55 runs from 94 deliveries. Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana shared a record-breaking 292-run opening partnership. Shafali registered her maiden double century whereas Mandhana missed her 150 by just one run.
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