Teenage batting sensation Shafali Verma
Shafali Verma hit a brilliant 96 on debut, while Smriti Mandhana made 78 before five quick wickets derailed India Women as the visitors slumped to 187 for 5 in their first innings in reply to England's 396 for 9 declared at stumps on the second day of the one-off Test here on Thursday.
Verma and Mandhana shared a solid 167 runs off 48.5 overs for the opening stand before both departed in quick time as the collapse started for India. The duo's 167-run stand at the top was the highest opening partnership against England women's team.
If that was not enough, Shikha Pandey, skipper Mithali Raj and Punam Raut too got out in quick succession as India lost five wickets in a span of just 16 runs to hand England the upper hand.
At the close of play, Harmanpreet Kaur was batting on 4 in the company of Deepti Sharma with India still trailing England by 209 runs.
Playing his whites didn't alter Shafali's hostile batting approach as he slammed a maximum on the very first ball she faced. She became the first Indian women cricketer to hit a six on her Test debut.
Shafali is now sitting first in the list of Indians with the highest score on Women's Test debut. She also became the first Indian in Women's Test to hit two or more sixes on debut.
Earlier resuming at the overnight score of 269 for six, England lost Katherine Brunt (8) and Sophie Ecclestone (17) in the morning session but Sophia Dunkley continued to frustrate the visitors, remaining unbeaten on 74.
England added 127 runs to their overnight score. Dunkley and Anya Shrubsole (47) shared valuable 70 runs for the ninth wicket.
Debutant off-spinner Sneh Rana was the pick of the bowlers for India with figures of 4/131, while Deepti Sharma (3/65) too impressed with the ball. India are playing their first Test in nearly seven years.
Brief Scores: England Women: 396/9 decl in 121.2 overs. (H Knight 95, Sophia Dunkley 74 not out, Tammy Beaumont 66; Sneh Rana 4/131, Deepti Sharma 3/65). India Women: 187 for 5 in 60 overs (Shafali Verma 96, Smriti Mandhana 78; Heather Knight 2/1).
(With PTI Inputs)
