In the ongoing one-off red-ball Test match between India and South Africa, India achieved a historic milestone by posting the highest-ever Test total of 603/6 declared. The match was marked by several remarkable achievements, including the highest opening partnership, the fastest double century, one century, and three half-centuries, which included skipper Harmanpreet Kaur registering her maiden Test fifty, which also is her highest individual score in Test cricket.
Harmanpreet Kaur registered her highest score in the red ball format after scoring a sturdy 69 on a track which has kept low throughout India’s innings. The Indian skipper came into bat after India lost their third wicket for 411.
After coming out to bat she took time initially, unlike her aggressive approach of taking on the bowlers with her fancy shots. But this innings was completely different with focusing more on rotating strike, initially in the innings. She scored her fifty from 89 balls which was also her maiden fifty in the red ball format with her previous best being 49 against England in 2023, yet to cross the 50-run mark in Tests since her debut in 2014 against England.
In this innings against South Africa, she also stitched a record 5th-wicket partnership of 143 runs with Richa Ghosh. This innings marked a significant achievement for Harmanpreet, who had previously scored 49 runs.
In addition to her batting abilities, Harmanpreet Kaur has also been effective with the ball, claiming 11 wickets in 5 innings, including a notable nine-wicket haul across both innings against South Africa in 2014.
Harmanpreet Kaur had a standout game against South Africa earlier this series, scoring her 6th ODI century in the second ODI and accumulated a total of 155 runs across the three ODIs.