Spectators were drawn to an odd sight during the ongoing one-off Test match between South Africa and India in Chepauk. During the second innings of the visiting team, Shafali Verma, the explosive opener for India, was seen fielding at covers while donning a helmet.
When Verma fielded at covers, he chose to wear a helmet, which caused some controversy. Usually used by close-in fielders, this protective technique showed that the opposing team was aware of potential dangers or that it was a calculated ploy to scare them.
At Chepauk for the India vs South Africa Test, Shafali Verma was seen fielding at covers with a helmet on.n Does this call for a five-run penalty? @ICC @BCCIWomen #INDWvSAW #ChennaiTest @TheShafaliVerma pic.twitter.com/OacPYIdkiI
— चिरकुट ज़िंदगी (@Chirayu_Jain26) July 1, 2024
India reach a record-breaking total thanks to Shafali Verma’s innings.
South Africa made an incredible comeback after being compelled to continue. The Proteas prevailed despite Sneh Rana’s record-breaking eight wicket haul for India thanks to a remarkable 190-run partnership between Sune Luus and Laura Wolvaardt for the second wicket.
Following her record-breaking at-bat, Verma adopted an unusual fielding strategy. Earlier, she had helped India achieve their highest-ever single-day total in Test history with her blazing double century (205 off 194 balls). This inning is a significant accomplishment in women’s Test cricket, since it set multiple records in conjunction with Smriti Mandhana’s 149.
Also read: SA-W vs. IND-W: India scores the most points as a team in Test history
Even though South Africa was behind by 105 runs going into the last day of the match, they had shown incredible resilience by reaching 232/2 in their second innings. Wolvaardt’s gritty 122 and Luus’s 109 complimented the visitors’ battle.
Nine Proteas hitters were sent back to the dugout by the Indian bowlers, who made a powerful comeback at the beginning of the finals day. Masabata Klaas and Nadine de Klerk’s vital partnership was broken by Verma, who claimed the ninth wicket, allowing the side to regain the lead.
India
