Debutant Suthar takes three after Gill, Rahul centuries lead India to 564 in Commanding Display
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India Dominates Day Two as Debutant Suthar Shines After Gill, Rahul Centuries
India asserted their dominance on day two of the one-off Test against Afghanistan in New Chandigarh, posting a colossal 564 for 8 declared before making significant inroads into the visitors’ batting line-up. The day was illuminated by two magnificent centuries from Shubman Gill (126) and KL Rahul (100), complemented by vital contributions from B Sai Sudharsan and Rishabh Pant, both scoring 81. However, the most compelling narrative emerged from the successful Test debut of left-arm spinner Manav Suthar, who showcased remarkable control and guile to secure three crucial wickets, firmly placing India in a commanding position.
India’s Batting Masterclass Continues with Gill and Rahul Leading the Charge
Resuming their innings at a commanding 368 for 3, India continued to pile on the runs, demonstrating their batting depth. Every single Indian batter managed to reach double figures, a testament to their collective effort and the flat conditions. Washington Sundar, with an unbeaten 52, further frustrated the Afghan bowlers under the scorching heat, grinding out valuable runs.
The morning session began with Gill and Pant at the crease, facing the new ball taken by Afghanistan in the second over. Azmatullah Omarzai immediately found seam and swing, creating early chances. He trapped Gill in front of leg stump and had Pant nicking to the wicketkeeper in the 89th over. Remarkably, both appeals were given not out, and Afghanistan, despite having one review remaining, failed to challenge these pivotal decisions. This oversight proved costly, allowing India’s momentum to continue unchecked.
Pant capitalized on these reprieves, aggressively charging at Ziaur Rahman to pick up crucial boundaries. Gill soon brought up India’s 400 with a well-placed cut shot, adding two more boundaries off Mohammad Saleem, who had replaced Zia. Saleem, however, remained undeterred, gradually adjusting his length. In the 96th over, he finally induced an edge from Gill, who departed for 126, adding 23 to his overnight score of 103. Saleem continued to trouble the batsmen, nearly having Pant chop on in his subsequent over. Despite being expensive earlier, conceding 42 runs in his first seven overs of the morning, Saleem claimed the wickets of both set batsmen and maintained tighter lines later in his spell.
Dhruv Jurel joined Pant and contributed a pulled four, bringing up India’s 450. However, Jurel’s stay was short-lived as Saleem produced a beauty that nipped back to hit the top of off stump after Jurel shouldered arms. Pant survived a run-out scare due to some lazy running but eventually fell for a well-made 81, holing out at long-off while attempting to clear the boundary against spin, which was introduced for the first time on day two.
Saleem’s Resilient Effort and India’s Declaration at 564
Mohammad Saleem was the standout performer for Afghanistan with the ball. Displaying immense heart and resilience in only his second Test, he bowled tirelessly and consistently, ultimately finishing with a commendable six-for. He accounted for Suthar, caught behind, completing his five-for, and later dismissed Siraj with a delivery that beat the slog and dented middle stump. Saleem’s ability to maintain high pace even after bowling upwards of 25 overs was remarkable, regularly beating Kuldeep Yadav‘s edge. The only real aggression against Saleem came in the final over of the innings, with Washington Sundar pulling a six and flicking one past mid-on to reach his fifty, prompting India to declare their innings at 564 for 8.
With a formidable total on the board, India’s bowlers had 20 minutes before tea to make an impact. Openers Sediqullah Atal and Abdul Malik navigated nervy moments, picking up two boundaries each off Mohammed Siraj. However, it was Manav Suthar who quickly made his presence felt. Malik, attempting to sweep Suthar off a length after the first three balls spun significantly, top-edged to backward square leg, giving the debutant his first Test wicket on the stroke of tea.
Suthar’s influence only grew after the interval. Bowling for nearly two hours post-tea, he delivered a marathon spell of 12.2 overs, finishing with an impressive 3 for 21. He demonstrated lavish drift and turn with the new ball, maintaining excellent lengths throughout. His second wicket was a ripper, turning away from Rahmanullah Gurbaz to take the edge for a low catch at second slip, despite Gurbaz’s determined defence of 31 dot balls.
Support came from Prasidh Krishna, who bowled a snorter that seamed in sharply to flatten Atal’s middle stump and send off stump flying. Kuldeep Yadav also created several chances, though luck wasn’t on his side initially; a drive from Rahmat Shah went teasingly above him, and KL Rahul dropped Hashmatullah Shahidi at first slip. Washington Sundar briefly replaced Suthar, and Shahidi survived an LBW call thanks to an inside edge with DRS. However, Shahidi’s luck ran out in the next over when he missed a flick off Prasidh, falling victim to the pace bowler.
Suthar returned to the attack, and Afghanistan’s batters seemed to shut shop as stumps approached. Despite the defensive approach, Rahmat Shah showed moments of defiance, dancing down the track to smack Suthar over his head for a six. Afsar Zazai, attempting a pull shot off a short ball down leg, misjudged it and top-edged it back to the bowler, handing Suthar his third wicket and ending the day on a high for India.
Afghanistan closed the day at 113 for 5, still trailing India’s massive total by 451 runs. Rahmat Shah remained unbeaten on 43, providing the only significant resistance for the visitors. With Suthar’s impressive debut, complemented by the efforts of Prasidh Krishna and Kuldeep Yadav, India holds a commanding position, looking to wrap up the Test match swiftly on day three. The stage is set for an exciting conclusion, with India’s bowlers poised to capitalize on their strong start.
