India's women are poised for a massive first innings total, reaching 334/2 by the tea break on the first day of the one-off Test against the Proteas at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Friday afternoon. The Proteas, however, managed to gain some momentum heading into the final session by taking two late wickets in the second session, clawing back into a match that had been slipping away due to a formidable opening partnership of 292 runs.
Indian openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana both scored impressive centuries, with Verma remaining unbeaten on 165 off 170 balls, including six sixes and 20 fours. Mandhana was dismissed for 149 off 161 balls, having hit 27 fours and one six. Their partnership looked unbreakable as they took their team to lunch at 130/0 and continued their dominance in the afternoon session.
Mandhana fell just one run short of her 150, attempting a drive off Proteas spinner Delmi Tucker, which resulted in a thick edge caught by debutant Annerie Dercksen at first slip. Satheesh Shuba (15) was the new batter but was dismissed in the over before tea, edging a ball from Nadine de Klerk to wicketkeeper Sinalo Jafta, leaving India at 325/2.
India had earlier won the toss and chose to bat first, starting cautiously with some tight bowling from the Proteas limiting them to 31 runs in the first 12 overs. However, the openers then unleashed a flurry of runs, scoring 99 off the next 16 overs. Mandhana reached her hundred with a boundary in the 25th over, setting a dominant tone as they headed into lunch. Despite losing two wickets, Verma's aggressive batting just before tea ensured India remained in a strong position.
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