New Chandigarh: A dominant batting display in extreme heat saw India take complete control on the opening day of the only Test against Afghanistan at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur on Saturday. India, after winning the toss and opting to bat, ended Day 1 at a commanding 368 for 3 in 85 overs, as play was called off early due to poor light.
Strong Indian batting foundation
Except for opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, all top-order batters delivered solid performances as India built a strong platform to push for an innings victory.
The pitch is expected to assist spinners more as the match progresses, and India’s spin attack featuring Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, and debutant Manav Suthar is likely to come into play.
This is only the second Test between India and Afghanistan, with India having won the previous encounter in 2018 by an innings margin. Afghanistan are also without their premier spinner Rashid Khan, which weakens their bowling attack significantly.
Rahul–Sudarshan partnership builds platform
Opener Sai Sudharsan narrowly missed a maiden Test century, scoring 81 off 104 balls (13 fours). He added 41 runs with Jaiswal for the first wicket before stitching a crucial 139-run partnership for the second wicket with KL Rahul.
Rahul anchored the innings with a fluent 100 off 165 balls (11 fours), registering his 12th Test century before being dismissed at 247.
Sudharsan eventually fell after being caught at cover off debutant pacer Mohammad Saleem, who bowled at around 142 km/h. The young batter had earlier been dropped twice, making his dismissal even more costly.
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Gill’s controlled aggression
After Rahul’s dismissal, captain Shubman Gill joined Sudharsan and later continued alongside Rishabh Pant, who walked in after the third wicket.
Gill played a fluent unbeaten knock of 103 not out off 143 balls (11 fours, 1 six), showcasing controlled aggression and appearing to bat with ease.
He and Rahul had earlier added 67 runs for the third wicket, stabilizing the innings after the early breakthroughs.
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Pant’s explosive milestone fifty
Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant brought his natural attacking flair to the fore on a landmark occasion — his 50th Test match.
Pant remained unbeaten on 50 off 70 balls (3 sixes, 2 fours) at stumps and entertained the crowd with aggressive stroke play. He notably smashed three sixes in a single over off off-spinner Abdul Malik, dismantling the bowling attack.
With captain Gill, Pant formed an unbroken 121-run partnership off 151 balls, taking India to a commanding position.
India firmly in control
By the close of play, India had reached 368/3, firmly positioning themselves for a potential innings victory. With batting depth still to come and a wearing pitch expected to favour spin, India will look to further extend their dominance on Day 2.