India's Shafali, Rana star in Test win over South Africa

India secured a resounding 10-wicket victory over South Africa in the one-off Women's Test on Monday, with opener Shafali Verma smashing the fastest-ever double-century and off-spinner Sneh Rana delivering remarkable first-innings figures of 8/77.

 

South Africa, chasing a daunting Indian first-innings total of 603/6 declared, capitulated for 266, largely due to Rana's career-best performance.

 

Shafali Verma's explosive 197-ball 205 and Smriti Mandhana's composed 149 were instrumental in setting the formidable target.

 

Enforcing the follow-on, India saw a spirited fightback from South Africa's captain Laura Wolvaardt, who scored 122, and former skipper Sune Luus, who added 109.

 

Middle-order batter Nadine de Klerk's 61 further extended the innings, taking the visitors to 373 and setting India a modest 37-run target.

 

Shubha Satheesh (13 not out) and Shafali (24 not out) quickly chased down the target in just 9.2 overs, sealing the comprehensive victory.

 

India and South Africa will now face off in a three-match T20I series scheduled in Chennai from July 5-9.

 

Brief Scores: India: 603/6 decl. and 37/0 in 9.2 overs.

 

South Africa: 266 and 373 in 154.4 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 122, Sune Luus 109, Nadine de Klerk 61; Sneh Rana 2/111, Deepti Sharma 2/95, Rajeshwari Gayakwad 2/55).