Rahul, Gill hit centuries as India dominate Afghanistan on opening day

India concluded the first day of their Test match against Afghanistan in a commanding position, reaching 368 for 3 at stumps. The day was highlighted by masterful centuries from KL Rahul (100) and Shubman Gill (103*), ably supported by B Sai Sudharsan (81) and Rishabh Pant (50*). Afghanistan’s bowlers, particularly Mohammad Saleem (2-67), toiled hard but found breakthroughs elusive against a resilient Indian batting lineup.

India’s Dominant Start in New Chandigarh

The historic occasion of New Chandigarh hosting its first-ever men’s Test match began under challenging conditions, with temperatures soaring up to 40 degrees Celsius. India captain Shubman Gill, after winning the toss, elected to bat first, anticipating a pitch that would likely deteriorate as the match progressed. Despite this strategic decision, Afghanistan’s new-ball bowlers, Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohammad Saleem, found immediate assistance from the surface, extracting uneven bounce and movement. They consistently bowled back-of-a-length deliveries, testing the Indian openers with away-swinging balls.

Early Challenges and Rahul’s Resilience

The early exchanges saw KL Rahul struggling to find his rhythm, often reaching for deliveries far from his body and mistiming his shots. He had ambled to a cautious 16 off 34 balls by the end of the tenth over, navigating a tricky period against disciplined bowling. At the other end, Yashasvi Jaiswal, however, capitalised on fuller deliveries with more regularity, racing to 20 off 26 deliveries and appearing much more comfortable at the crease.

A pivotal moment occurred in the 11th over when Rahul, on 16, edged a wide delivery from Ziaur Ahmed while attempting a cut shot. Both bowler and wicketkeeper appealed vociferously, but Afghanistan opted not to review the not-out decision. Replays subsequently confirmed a clear edge, a significant missed opportunity for the debutants to claim a crucial early wicket. Rahul, having ridden his luck, then demonstrated immense fortitude, leaving balls outside off-stump and dead-batting those that gripped in the pitch, a testament to his experience.

However, Afghanistan soon tasted success in the very next over. Jaiswal, after displaying some elegant front-foot drives, attempted to flick an inswinger drifting down leg from Mohammad Saleem. He edged the ball to the wicketkeeper, departing for a 32-ball 24. This dismissal, somewhat against the run of play given Jaiswal’s fluency, handed Saleem his maiden Test wicket, providing a much-needed boost to the Afghan side.

Sudharsan Joins the Fray with Flair

Following Jaiswal’s departure, the new-ball swing began to dissipate, and the pitch became less treacherous, offering a period of relative calm. B Sai Sudharsan, joining Rahul at the crease, made full use of this opportunity. He quickly found his rhythm, lacing three fours in his first 15 deliveries, showcasing a confident and aggressive approach that contrasted with Rahul’s early grind. The left-hander looked poised and determined to make an impact in his nascent Test career.

Sudharsan, like Rahul, also had a moment of fortune. In the 35th over, off Ziaur, he stepped out for a tentative defence, his edge dissecting the gap between wicketkeeper Afsar Zazai and first slip. The partnership continued to flourish, building a solid foundation for India. However, with Sai Sudharsan looking set for a maiden Test century, his innings was cut short on 81. He played an expansive drive outside off against Saleem, and this time, the ball was sharply snared by Zazai with a stunning one-handed catch to his left in the slip cordon. The impressive 131-run second-wicket partnership was broken, but Rahul remained steadfast at the other end.

Gill’s Masterclass Amidst Afghan Toil

As the day progressed, the New Chandigarh surface began to show more grip and turn, bringing Afghanistan’s spinners into play. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi proved to be their most effective spinner, bowling slowly and consistently under 80 kph, using drift to trouble the Indian batsmen. Despite his efforts, he rarely induced any genuine chances, with edges often flying past the fielders. Debutant spinner Nangeyalia Kharote also had a near-miss, inducing a thin edge off Sai Sudharsan with only his fourth delivery, but Rahmanullah Gurbaz at first slip put down a one-handed catch, diving to his right. Both Kharote and part-timer Abdul Malik struggled with their lines, often straying onto leg-stump, allowing the batsmen to score freely.

With Afghanistan’s fast bowlers also faltering in their discipline, Shubman Gill took full toll, particularly after the tea break. If Rahul’s innings was defined by a battle against early swing and seam, Gill’s imperious century, his 11th in the format, was aided by a visibly worn-down Afghan attack. Yet, his elegance and power were undeniable. He pounced on good-length deliveries outside off, unfurling exquisite drives, and executed precise cuts close to his body in his trademark fashion, racking up 11 fours and one majestic six.

Rahul’s Gritty Century and Unfortunate Dismissal

Gill had Rahul for company during the beginning of his knock, forging a valuable 67-run partnership for the third wicket. Rahul, having batted with immense concentration and resolve, reached a gritty century – his 12th in Test cricket – with a flick off his pads in the 61st over. It was a well-deserved milestone after navigating the challenging early conditions. However, just one delivery after celebrating his hundred, Rahul perished for exactly 100, playing a loose waft away from his body off Ziaur and spooning it straight to short extra cover. This marked the third time in his Test career he has been dismissed on 100, placing him joint-second in this unique statistical category, only behind England’s Len Hutton (4).

Pant’s Explosive Finale

Following Rahul’s dismissal, Rishabh Pant strode to the crease for his 50th Test match for India. The directive for the final hour of play seemed clear: consolidate and see out the day. An unusually restrained Pant batted within his means initially, showing commendable patience. However, his eyes lit up against off-spinner Abdul Malik in the 68th over. Capitalising on half-trackers, Pant unleashed three trademark flat-batted sixes, injecting a burst of dynamism into the proceedings. These would prove to be his only sixes of the evening, but they effectively shifted the momentum back in India’s favour.

Gill, in a display of superb concentration and stroke play, brought up his own century just minutes before the close of play, flicking a delivery to square leg in the 83rd over off Saleem. Afghanistan, perhaps conserving their resources or misjudging the pitch, opted not to take the new ball, continuing with a battered old ball until stumps. Pant skillfully manipulated a thinly spread leg-side field in these final overs, bringing up his own fifty off 70 balls on the penultimate delivery of a thoroughly dominant day for the home side. India will resume tomorrow in a formidable position, looking to further solidify their advantage.