The previous best in Women's cricket was 431 in a day. India comfortably beating that record. Their performance today was machine like. Every batter looked in some touch as the wicket was as flat as a pool table. The day was set up by the openers. Mandhana missed a double ton but Shafali Verma got hers.
She batted superbly and the duo added 292 for the first wicket. Then India did lose a few wickets in the middle but never looked hassled. Towards the end phases of the day Richa Ghosh and Kaur came together and batted confidently. They both are in their 40s and would look to bat for good periods on day 2 to ensure SA don't have a chance to comeback.
The day I reiterate belonged to the openers. They were unstoppable. Anything thrown at them met with a positive shot. They just never took their foot off the pedal. SA bowlers looked inexperienced for the conditions and the heat and humidity of Chennai also took a toll on them. The wicket being flat also meant SA had a tall mountain to climb. Their oxygen supplies are almost over.
the openers batted with a lot of freedom. They put the bad balls away and India's run rate is very healthy. They have set the ball rolling indeed. It was hot and humid but both of them didn't let their concentration to flounder. Mandhana got to her fifty first. And then Shafali Verma followed suit. SA bowlers to be frank have looked toothless. They really didn't have much of a clue. Completely hapless! India will look to extend the leather hunt in session 2 as well.
Hello and welcome to the one off Test between India and South Africa. The ODI series was a good one for the hosts as they kept a clean slate. The batters came to the party especially Mandhana and India won it 3-0. SA though came to chasing down 325 once and that would keep them in good stead that they can pull something extraordinary. This Test is at Chepauk and there will be some turn very quickly for sure.
Purnima our early bird spots "Don't see Pooja Vastrakar warming up with the bunch so maybe that's an indication. Uncapped Arundhati Reddy and Saika Ishaque are among them though." She adds "Laura Wolvaardt has a look at the pitch amidst her warm up." Indians won't be taking things lightly despite them having an impressive record in Tests at home. Their spinners like Rana and Sharma make life very tough for the opposition.
Pitch report: Red soil pitch. There will be bounce early on and the spinners will come into play later on in the game" reckons WV Raman. So one can only hope that the opposition batters show good application and technique to find a way out.
