India women's team's star opener, Shafali Verma, became the fastest double centurion in the history of women's Test cricket. She recorded this feat during the match against South Africa in Chennai, scoring a double ton off just 194 balls. This broke Annabel Sutherland's previous record of a double ton off 248 balls.
How many Indian women have scored a double ton in Test Cricket?
Shafali's remarkable feat makes her only the second Indian woman to record a double century in the longest format. She follows former captain Mithali Raj, who scored 214 runs off 407 balls in a Test against England at Taunton 22 years ago.
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Shafali's innings was a masterclass in aggressive batting, with 23 fours and 8 sixes. She reached her 200-run milestone in style by smashing consecutive sixes off off-spinner Delmi Tucker.
Shafali's extraordinary knock came to an end when she was run out at 205 off 197 balls following a mix-up with partner Jemimah Rodrigues. She narrowly missed recording the highest individual score by an Indian in women's Test innings, falling 38 runs short of the world record.
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Pakistan's Kiran Baluch holds the record for most runs in a Test innings, scoring 242 against West Indies in 2004. Shafali's 205 is the seventh-highest score in women's Tests.
With Shafali scoring a double ton at higher than a 100 strike rate, it leaves us wondering who else have achieved this feat.
List of batters to have scored a 200 in Tests faster than run-a-ball
| Batter | Score | Opponent | Test Match Date | Venue |
| Nathan Astle (NZ) | 222 (168) | England | March 13 - 16, 2002 | Christchurch |
| Ben Stokes (ENG) | 258 (198) | South Africa | January 02 - 06, 2016 | Cape Town |
| Virender Sehwag (IND) |
254 (247) |
Pakistan |
January 13 - 17, 2006 March 26 - 30, 2008 December 02 - 06, 2009 |
Lahore Chennai Brabourne |
| Brendon McCullum (NZ) | 202 (188) | Pakistan | November 26 - 30, 2014 | Sharjah |
| Shafali Verma (IND) | 205 (197) | South Africa Women | June 28 - July 01, 2024 | Chennai |
Shafali Verma's record-breaking innings has set a new benchmark in women's Test cricket, and her aggressive style will inspire fans and future cricketers alike.