The South African side is currently touring India for an all-format series, which kicked off with the ODIs in Bangalore, where the Proteas were whitewashed 0-3. This was followed by the ongoing one-off Test in Chennai from June 28th to July 1st, which will also host the three-match T20I series starting from July 5th.
India entered the 500-run club when they surpassed the mark on the first day of their one-off Test against the Proteas at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Although Test matches are usually slower-paced compared to the limited-overs format, India scored 525 runs at a scoring rate of 5.3 in 98 overs on the first day and later added 78 runs in 17.1 overs the following day to end up declaring their 1st innings at 603/6, demolishing the Proteas’ bowling attack.
They went on to break multiple records following their mountainous total, including registering the highest team score in the first innings of a Test match. Let’s probe into the top five highest scores in the first innings of a women’s Test match.
India 603/6 D vs South Africa, Chennai 2024
India in the one-off Test, scored 525 runs on day one of the innings, courtesy of the opening duo of Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana adding 292 runs for the first wicket. The strong start provided by the Indian openers was followed by half-centuries from Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur, who registered her highest Test score with an impressive 69, and Richa Ghosh.
However, the foundation was well laid by Shafali, who went on to score a double century. India crossed the 600-run mark before declaring the innings at 603 runs for the loss of six wickets, marking the end of their first innings. Delmi Tucker was the standout bowler for South Africa with two wickets, followed by Mlaba, Sekhukhune, and de Klerk, who each took a wicket.
Australia 473 vs England, Nottingham 2023
In the one-off Test during the last Ashes series, Australia registered the highest first innings total before the Indian team surpassed it. Australia posted a dominant score in the away Test against England at Nottingham. Although Australia got all out, it was work well done by their batters. Ellyse Perry scored 99 batting at three, followed by Tahlia McGrath’s 61, and the only centurion, Annabel Sutherland, who remained unbeaten on 137.
English spinner Sophie Ecclestone picked up a fifer, making her the standout bowler for England, supported by a couple of wickets from Lauren Bell and Lauren Filer. Australia later went on to win the match, but the first innings score remains a memorable one, second on the list of top five highest first innings scores.
India 428 vs England, DY Patil Stadium 2023
During a match in December 2023, India recorded their highest ever first innings score before it was broken against the Proteas. After electing to bat first, India put up a formidable total of 428 runs in their first innings against England. It was a string of scores in the 60s that guided India to the total, with solid hand from debutants Shubha Satheesh and Jemimah Rodrigues top-scoring 69 and 68 respectively, followed by Deepti Sharma’s 67, Yastika Bhatia’s 66, and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur’s 49.
Lauren Bell and Sophie Ecclestone were the most successful bowlers for England in this innings, claiming 3 wickets each.
India 426/9 vs England, Blackpool 1986
In 1986, at Blackpool, Indian recorded a significant first innings score of 426 for 9 declared against England. The innings featured a stellar century by Sandhya Agarwal, who scored 132 runs opening the innings.
For England, Carole Hodges was the pick of the bowlers, taking 4 wickets for 75 runs. India played a total of 175 overs in the first innings before declaring. The match resulted in a draw.
Pakistan 426/7 vs. West Indies, Karachi 2004
In a landmark innings at Karachi in 2004, Pakistan registered a total of 426 for 7 against the West Indies before declaring. Pakistan’s innings were headlined by a record-breaking performance from Kiran Baluch, who scored a remarkable 242 runs, supported by her fellow opener Sajjida Shah’s 98.
The standout bowler from the West Indies side was Felicia Cummings, who took four wickets for 54 runs.
