India march ahead despite Saleem’s strikes, Pant misses out on century

The second morning of the Test match in New Chandigarh witnessed high-quality cricket as India continued to build a massive first-innings total. By the time the players walked off for lunch on Day 2, India had reached a commanding position of 475 for 6. Although the visitors managed to claw their way back with three crucial wickets, the hosts maintained their aggressive approach, scoring 107 runs in 25 overs at a brisk run rate of 4.28. The session proved to be a classic battle between bat and ball, featuring dramatic near-misses, brilliant bowling spells, and some counterattacking batting.

Early Drama and Afghanistan’s Missed Opportunities

Afghanistan started the day with clear intent, taking the second new ball in the second over of the morning—which was the 89th over of the Indian innings. Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohammad Saleem were tasked with exploiting the fresh red cherry, and they found immediate assistance from the pitch. Seam movement and late swing kept the Indian wickets in focus.

The 89th over, bowled by Omarzai, was filled with high drama. On consecutive deliveries, Omarzai looked to have struck gold. First, he trapped Shubman Gill in front of his leg stump with a sharp, incoming delivery. On the very next ball, he drew an edge from Rishabh Pant, which flew straight to the wicketkeeper. However, on both occasions, the on-field umpire turned down the loud appeals. Surprisingly, despite having one review left in their bank, Afghanistan’s captain Hashmatullah Shahidi and his team decided against challenging the decisions. Replays later suggested they might have missed a golden opportunity to break the partnership early in the day.

Gill and Pant Lead the Counter-Offensive

Spurred on by the double reprieve, both Gill and Pant looked to assert their dominance. Pant, in particular, showed no signs of caution. After playing out a safe maiden over against the left-arm spin of Ziaur Rahman, the dynamic left-hander decided to charge. He stepped down the track twice in Zia’s next over, lofting him for two spectacular boundaries to signal his intentions.

At the other end, Gill was equally fluent. The elegant right-hander brought up India’s 400-run mark with a trademark, authoritative cut shot. When Saleem was brought into the attack to replace Zia, Gill took full advantage of some loose deliveries. He punished Saleem’s full-pitched and short balls, dispatching them for consecutive boundaries to keep the scoreboard ticking at a rapid pace.

Saleem Strikes Back with Key Breakthroughs

Despite being expensive early on, Mohammad Saleem showed great character and tactical awareness. He adjusted his line and length, gradually pulling his length back in the 96th over. The tactical shift paid off immediately. Saleem managed to find the outside edge of Gill’s bat as the batsman tried to defend. The ball flew straight to the wicketkeeper, bringing an end to a fine partnership. Gill was dismissed after adding 23 runs to his overnight score, leaving India slightly rocked just before the drinks break.

Saleem was not done yet. In his next over, he nearly induced an inside edge from Pant, who narrowly escaped chopping the ball onto his stumps. While Pant and the incoming Dhruv Jurel managed to score a few boundaries off Saleem’s short deliveries, the bowler remained a constant threat.

The Fall of Jurel and Pant’s Heartbreak

Dhruv Jurel’s stay at the crease was brief but eventful. He helped India reach the 450-run milestone with a crisply timed pull shot for four off Saleem. However, Saleem got his revenge on the very next delivery. Boxing a beautiful, nipping-back delivery, Saleem exploited Jurel’s decision to shoulder arms. The ball jagged back sharply off the seam to clip the top of off stump, sending Jurel back to the pavilion. Saleem ended his morning spell with figures of 4 for 109, proving to be the most impactful bowler for Afghanistan despite conceding 42 runs in his seven overs.

Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant was closing in on a well-deserved century. However, some uncharacteristic sluggishness almost cost him in the 101st over when a lazy run put him in danger of a run-out, but he managed to survive. Unfortunately, his luck ran out shortly after. With Afghanistan introducing spin for the first time in the morning session, Pant looked to dominate. Attempting to clear the long-off boundary off Hashmatullah Shahidi, Pant miscued his shot and holed out to the fielder at long-off for 81, missing out on what would have been a spectacular hundred.

All-rounders Guide India Safely to Lunch

With India at 450 for 6, debutant Manav Suthar walked out to join the experienced Washington Sundar. Suthar had an early scare when he miscued a shot off Shahidi’s bowling, but fortunately for him, the ball landed safely, flying wide of the mid-on fielder.

Following that nervous moment, Suthar settled down quickly and looked highly composed. Along with Sundar, who played a steady and sensible innings, Suthar ensured that India suffered no further setbacks before the lunch bell. Washington Sundar remained unbeaten on 14, while Manav Suthar was solid on 9, as the duo took India to 475 for 6.