Indian Women’s Cricket Team Makes History by Scoring 410 Runs on the First Day of their Sole Test Against England

The Indian women’s cricket team made a remarkable entry into the record books by amassing 410 runs on the opening day of their exclusive Test against England at DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai, India, on Thursday (Dec. 14). This incredible feat stands as the second-highest run tally scored in a single day of a women’s Test, only surpassed by England’s 431/4 against New Zealand in 1935.

This match also marks only the third instance in women’s Test cricket history where a team has crossed the 400-run mark in a single day. The other two instances include the day 4 of the Australia vs England Test in 2022 and the 1935 Test, where England and New Zealand collectively scored 475 runs, while Australia and England combined for 449 runs in their 2022 encounter.

India’s score of 410/7 is now the highest home Test total for the team, eclipsing their previous best of 400/6 against South Africa in 2014.

Opting to bat first after winning the toss, the Indian team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, had a shaky start with Smriti Mandhana (17) departing early at a team score of 25. Shefali Verma (19) soon followed, leaving India at 47/2 in 8.4 overs. However, a strong middle-order performance ensued, with four out of the next five Indian batters each scoring a half-century – a rarity in women’s Tests.

The half-centurions included Satheesh Shubha (69), Jemimah Rodrigues (68), Yastika Bhatia (66), and Deepti Sharma (60), with captain Harmanpreet Kaur narrowly missing out, dismissed at 49.

The Indian team’s impressive run tally was achieved in 94 overs at a brisk run rate of 4.36 per over, marked by 62 boundaries – the third-highest number in a women’s Test innings.

England’s bowling attack saw Lauren Bell lead with two wickets, while Kate Cross, Nat-Sciver Brunt, Charlie Dean, and Sophie Ecclestone each claimed a wicket.