Sneh Rana became the first Indian women’s cricketer to achieve a notable feat with her brilliant all-around display against England women. She became the first Indian woman to score a half-century and bag a four-wicket haul on her Test debut.
Playing her first international match, Sneha Rana made a remarkable statement with her all-around skills in the one-off Test match against England in Bristol.
Sneh Rana Scores Half-Century And Took 4 Scalps In Her Test Debut As Her Partnership With Taniya Bhatiya Saves The Test
All-rounder Sneh Rana became the first Indian woman and fourth overall to score a half-century and take four wickets on Test debut.
After figures of 4/131 in England’s 1st innings, Sneh Rana scored a half-century in India’s second innings. She remained unbeaten on 80 and etched an unbeaten 104 run partnership with Taniya Bhatia (44 not out). During her unbeaten knock of 80, the all-rounder Sneh Rana scored the highest by an Indian batting at 6 or lower in Women’s Test cricket.
The one-off women’s Test between India and England ended in a draw on the final day, with the visitors defying the home side attack to score 344 for 8 in their second innings after following on. India was 199/7 in the second innings, but the herculean effort from Sneh Rana ensured that the game is drawn as India after scoring 344/8 averted a shameful defeat at Bristol.
Shafali Verma Added Only 8 More Runs To Her Overnight Score Of 55
Following on and on the verge of defeat on the final day on Saturday, India was rescued by Sneh Rana and Taniya Bhatia’s stand, the highest 9th wicket stand for Indian women in Tests.
Washington Sundar and Amar Singh are the two other Indians with this all-around feat in Test cricket. This feat has been done four times in women’s cricket, this being the first time by an Indian player.
Earlier, India opener Shafali Verma (63) could add just eight more runs to her overnight score as Katherine Brunt caught her off Ecclestone in the 30th over. Smashed for a straight six in the first ball of the over, Sophie Ecclestone came back to dismiss Shafali Verma in the last delivery, with Katherine Brunt taking a spectacular catch at long-on.
Deepti Sharma and Punam Raut then showed great resilience as India took a lead of six runs with seven wickets in hand at lunch. However, a sudden lapse of concentration saw Deepti Sharma go for a reckless slog off Sophie Ecclestone in the 58th over only to drag the ball onto her leg-stump in what was the last ball before lunch.
The 17-year-old Shafali Verma had smashed 96 runs in the one-off Test against England in Bristol, providing India with a solid start in the 1st innings but despite her efforts, India was made to follow on. Earlier, England had declared their first innings at 396/9 with captain Heather Knight making 95 while Sophia Dunkley (74*) and Tammy Beaumont (66) also made significant contributions.
India 231 (Verma 96, Mandhana 78, Ecclestone 4-88, Knight 2-7) and 344 for 8 (Rana 80*, Verma 63, Sharma 54, Bhatia 44*) (f/o) drew with England 396 for 9 decl. (Knight 95, Dunkley 74*, Beaumont 66, Rana 4-131, Sharma 3-65)