The Indian women’s cricket team is currently hosting South Africa for a multi-format series from June 16 to July 9. India swept the three-match One Day International (ODI) series 3-0. On Day 1 of the one-off, four-day red-ball Test match running from June 28 to July 1 in Chennai, the Indian opening right-hand batter Shafali Verma recorded the fastest 150 runs in women’s Test cricket.
Verma, aged 20, faced a total of 158 balls to reach 150 runs against the Proteas. With this feat, she became the fastest player to achieve that milestone, breaking the previous record set by Australia’s Annabel Sutherland, who did it in 209 balls against South Africa earlier this year.
Fastest recorded 150 in women’s Test cricket by balls faced:
158 Shafali Verma (India) v South Africa, 2024
209 Annabel Sutherland (Australia) v South Africa, 2024
212 Marizanne Kapp (South Africa) v England, 2022
213 Karen Rolton (Australia) v England, 1998
229 Tammy Beaumont (England) v Australia, 2023
249 Claire Taylor (England) v South Africa, 2003
In addition, Shafali Verma, along with Smriti Mandhana, created the highest opening partnership ever in Women’s Test cricket with 292 runs and also recorded the overall most partnership runs in Tests with 831 runs.
After the one-off Test match, both teams will compete in three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) from July 5 to July 9, all taking place in Chennai.