India’s batting domination
Opting to bat after winning the toss, Harmanpreet Kaur‘s decision set the stage for an eventful day for the hosts. Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma displayed cautious play in the beginning, but Mandhana fell prey to Lauren Bell for 17 runs. Shafali Verma, after some elegant strokes, departed for 19. Debutants Shubha Satheesh (69) and Jemimah Rodrigues (68) then orchestrated a recovery, frustrating the England bowlers. Satheesh reached her half-century in the first session as India concluded at 136/2.
After lunch, Satheesh, aiming for more aggression, fell to Sophie Ecclestone, followed by Rodrigues, dismissed by a brilliant in-dipper from Bell. Despite this setback, Harmanpreet and Yastika Bhatia (66) stabilized the innings with a solid 71-run partnership until the second session’s end. Yastika notched up a fifty, and the duo continued in the final session, overcoming the quick dismissals of Harmanpreet and Yastika. Deepti Sharma and Sneh Rana (30) then thwarted England’s attempts with a resilient 90+ run partnership for the seventh wicket.
However, Rana’s dismissal by Nat Sciver-Brunt ended India’s day at 410/7, with Deepti unbeaten on 60 and Pooja Vastrakar at the crease.
Also READ: IND-W vs ENG-W 2023: Best playing XI of India and England for the one-off Test
Here’s how fans reacted
Day 1 of the Test done
India finish on 410/7.
See you tomorrow England fans ?#EnglandCricket #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/hrLE2CODO2
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) December 14, 2023
India becomes only the second team to record more than 400 runs in a single day in women's Tests. The last such instance was 88 years ago: by England (431/4 vs New Zealand in 1935). #INDvENG
— Lalith Kalidas (@lal__kal) December 14, 2023
A good days play for India women. 410 for 7 against a good English bowling lineup is a good start to end day 1 of the #Test #INDvENG
— Anjum Chopra (@chopraanjum) December 14, 2023
Very impressed by this left-hander. Shubha Satheesh, playing her first match for India today, has demonstrated excellent composure and temperament at the crease. Looking forward to more such innings from her, well played. #INDWvENGW pic.twitter.com/oFcByDRurd
— Mithali Raj (@M_Raj03) December 14, 2023
Harmanpreet Kaur's run out today. pic.twitter.com/jD54PACRuz
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) December 14, 2023
Four half-centurions, and three big partnerships! What an opening day for India Women ?
Scorecard: https://t.co/qGuNXbE2gD#INDWvENGW #Test #cricket #CricketTwitter #WomenCricket pic.twitter.com/0ZtPqleYBa
— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) December 14, 2023
Two debutantes who made 69. 68 respectively #SatheeshShubha and #JemimahRodrigues . What a day for these young girls. test cricket in India women. #IndvEng pic.twitter.com/yrRt3iwLzY
— Mayur Lookhar (@mayurlookhar) December 14, 2023
?? RECORD ALERT! India makes history, scoring 400+ runs in a day in women's Test cricket, only the second team to achieve this in 88 years.
? Let's keep the momentum going, girls!
? Getty • #INDWvENGW #INDvENG #TeamIndia #BharatArmy #COTI?? pic.twitter.com/Sk7g7xxjZ2
— The Bharat Army (@thebharatarmy) December 14, 2023
Second most runs scored by @BCCIWomen on a day in Women's Test cricket. 4 half Centurion on day for India. @Deepti_Sharma06 , Shubha Satheesh, @JemiRodrigues and @YastikaBhatia . @ImHarmanpreet misses just short of run from half-century. #INDvENG #INDWvsENGW pic.twitter.com/Pq6wUSdCCZ
— Jitendra Khuntia (@ImJitendra_03) December 14, 2023
Also READ: India’s Smriti Mandhana and England’s Tammy Beaumont divided over the idea of introducing ICC Women’s World Test Championship
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
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