India, Nov. 2 -- It is essential for a team to have a good opening partnership to win major tournaments in cricket. The job of the openers is to generally lay the foundation for the middle-order and the big hitters to take advantage of. The two Indian openers, Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma, were seen doing exactly this in the ongoing final match of the Women's ODI World Cup between India and South Africa.

Notably, South Africa won the toss for the match and put India to bat on a rainy day in Mumbai. Laura Wolvaardt would have hoped to get some early wickets and put India on the back foot. However, Smriti and Shafali ensured that India got off to a flying start. The duo put together a partnership of 104 runs for the opening wicket in ...