IND vs SA: Team India create world record, smash 525 runs on Day 1, highest-ever in cricket history

Young opener Shafali Verma played out of her skin to score a record-breaking double century, which helped India to highest-ever single-day total as a plethora of landmarks were rewritten on opening day of one-off Test against South Africa here on Friday.

Shafali's double century (205), scored off just 194 balls, and her formidable 292-run partnership with Smriti Mandhana (149) set platform for India's massive 525 for 4 on a day when visitors were sent on a lear hunt by host batters.

Shafali eclipsed double-century record of Annabel Surland of Australia, who had achieved feat off 248 deliveries in a Test against South Africa in February. 20-year-old Indian also became only second Indian woman cricketer after legendary Mithali Raj to hit a double century in Test cricket.

Mithali's 214 had come off 407 balls and former India skipper achieved it during drawn second Test against England at Taunton in August, 2002.

India also broke 89-year-old mark for most runs scored in a single day by 94 runs. England women had racked up 431/2 against New Zealand at Lancaster Park, Christchurch in 1935.

Shafali was dismissed soon after completing her double-ton, being run out at 205 (197 balls). young opener's previous best in Tests was 96. hard-hitting batter, playing only in her fifth Test, smashed 23 boundaries and eight maximums during her historic kck.

day belonged to Shafali as she scored with ease, making Chepauk crowd erupt in joy while leaving Porteas bowlers clueless about ir line and length.

Electing to bat, Shafali and Mandhana exploited familiar conditions and inexperience of bowlers to push visitors on back-foot in opening session itself.

pair took side to 130 for loss at lunch break, and once easy-paced pitch, eased up furr, duo made merry, scoring virtually a run a ball.

While pacers did get some purchase from wicket and mand to tie down well-set pair a bit in post-lunch session, spinners struggled.

two brought up ir centuries at almost same time, taking team total past 250.

Mandhana was first to depart, caught in slip cordon while trying to poke at a delivery from Delmi Tucker. partnership yielded 292 runs and also helped India vice-captain achieve here best individual score in longest format. Her previous best was 127.

This was also India's highest partnership for any wicket in format. It was also second-highest partnership in Women's Test for any wicket. world record stands in name of Australia's LA Reeler and DA Annetts, who scored 309 runs for third wicket against England in Werby in 1987.

Shafali's next partner Saesh Shubha (15 runs) lasted just 27 balls before she was sent back by Nadine de Klerk.

Shafali n got support from Jemimah Rodrigues (55). She raced to a historic double-ton after tea break, smashing consecutive sixes and a single off Tucker.

Shafali's stay at crease ended following a mix-up with Jemimah.

Jemimah, who appeared to be in good touch, brought up her third Test half-century shortly reafter, before falling to Tucker, as India reached 450/4, a huge total by any yardstick.

But re was more to come as skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (42 t out) and Richa Ghosh (43 t out) took charge. pair helped India become first team to cross 500-run mark in a single day of a women's Test match.