Indian cricketer Tanusree Sarkar has etched her name in the record books by becoming the first player to score centuries in both innings of a women’s first-class match. Representing Team C in the 2025 Senior Women’s Multi-Day Challenger Trophy, Sarkar achieved this remarkable feat against Team A at the Abhimanyu Cricket Academy in Dehradun. Her twin unbeaten knocks have set a new benchmark for excellence in women’s cricket, a format that rarely sees such milestones due to its limited opportunities globally.
Tanusree Sarkar anchors Team C with an unbeaten 153
After Team A’s skipper Minnu Mani opted to bowl first, Team C relied heavily on Sarkar’s brilliance to stabilize their innings. Walking in at No. 3, Sarkar played a marathon knock of 153* off 278 balls, laced with 21 boundaries and a six. Her partnerships with Shafali Verma (40) and Jemimah Rodrigues (71) were pivotal as Team C posted a competitive total of 313 runs in 98 overs. Despite Mani’s impressive five-wicket haul (5/91), Sarkar held her ground, showcasing resilience and composure.
Day 2: A tight battle as Team A responds
Team A responded strongly with Vrinda Dinesh leading the charge, scoring a gritty 78 off 120 balls. Contributions from Shubha Satheesh (48) and M R Magre (47) helped them close the gap. However, Team C’s bowlers, led by Shuchi Upadhyay (4/94), ensured that Team A fell just eight runs short, being bowled out for 305. This slender lead set the stage for Sarkar’s second innings heroics.
Day 3: Sarkar’s second century seals her legacy
In their second innings, Team C began positively but lost Shafali early. Sarkar once again stepped up, building crucial partnerships with Riya Chaudhari (59 runs) and skipper Rodrigues (132 runs). Her unbeaten knock of 102 off 184 balls included 13 boundaries, further underlining her consistency and hunger for runs. The match ended in a draw, with Team C at 211/2, but Sarkar’s record-breaking performance stole the spotlight.
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A rare feat in Women’s cricket
Sarkar’s twin centuries are unprecedented in women’s first-class cricket. The rarity of such matches globally makes her achievement even more significant. With this performance, she has also become the tournament’s leading run-scorer, averaging an astounding 280 runs after two matches.
Sarkar’s efforts have propelled Team C to the top of the points table in the Senior Women’s Multi-Day Challenger Trophy. By securing a crucial first-innings lead, they now hold four points from two matches.
A rising star in Indian cricket
At just 26 years old, Tanusree Sarkar continues to shine on the domestic circuit. Since her debut in first-class cricket in 2016, she has grown into one of India’s most reliable batters. Her latest achievement not only highlights her individual brilliance but also brings attention to the potential of women’s first-class cricket as a platform for showcasing talent and skill.
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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
