‘High-quality’ Saleem limits damage despite extreme heat and unhelpful pitch

A Masterclass in Grit and Determination

‘High-quality’ Saleem limits damage despite extreme heat and unhelpful pitch in what proved to be a grueling outing for the Afghanistan bowling attack in New Chandigarh. As the sun beat down on the surface, Mohammad Saleem emerged as the lone warrior for his side, defying the punishing conditions to return figures of 6 for 140 against a formidable Indian batting lineup.

While the final scoreline of 564 for 8 declared suggests a day of total dominance for the hosts, the narrative could have been far bleaker for Afghanistan if not for the persistent efforts of their strike bowler. Saleem’s ability to maintain a consistent speed of 140kph while hitting the seam with surgical precision was the highlight of the first innings.

The Battle Against the Elements

Conditions in New Chandigarh were far from hospitable. The pitch offered minimal assistance to the seamers, demanding immense physical endurance and technical discipline to extract any movement. Saleem’s performance was not merely a display of raw talent but an example of superior mental toughness. After claiming the scalps of Yashasvi Jaiswal and B Sai Sudharsan on the opening day, he returned on day two to dismantle the middle and lower order.

His spell included the prized wicket of Shubman Gill, caught behind for 126, followed by a beauty that dismissed Dhruv Jurel, who misjudged a delivery that crashed into the top of the off-stump. He later accounted for Manav Suthar and Mohammed Siraj to cap off a remarkable individual effort.

High Praise from Both Camps

Afghanistan head coach Richard Pybus was quick to laud the effort of his spearhead. Pybus noted that taking six wickets against high-quality batting in such oppressive heat speaks volumes about Saleem’s character. According to the coach, the secret to Saleem’s success was his discipline in holding a length, a trait that kept him in the game despite the lack of assistance from the surface.

This sentiment was echoed by India’s own Washington Sundar. In a display of great sportsmanship, Sundar remarked, “That was honestly high-quality bowling. There was not much in the pitch for the seamers. Only when you hit the seam over a period of time, you sort of get a little bit of purchase. To hit the seam consistently over a number of overs takes a lot of skill and attitude.” Sundar further highlighted Saleem’s durability, noting that the long, multi-over spells were a testament to the bowler’s physical conditioning and competitive spirit.

Missed Opportunities and the DRS Dilemma

While Saleem’s individual brilliance shone through, the match served as a stark reminder of the importance of clinical decision-making at the highest level. Afghanistan struggled significantly with their DRS utilization, a lapse that proved costly. Multiple opportunities to dismiss Indian batters—including Gill and Pant—were missed as the team opted against reviewing umpire Sharfuddoula’s decisions, which later replays confirmed were incorrect.

Reflecting on these errors, Pybus admitted that the team lacked conviction. “We were exceptionally rusty,” he acknowledged. “I think there was a lack of conviction in decision-making. The skipper has to rely on his wicketkeeper for alignment and the point fielder for height, alongside the bowler’s own intuition. We were off the pace, and it certainly impacted our ability to contain India further.”

Despite the bowling efforts, Afghanistan now faces a mountain to climb. At stumps on day two, they find themselves at 113 for 5, trailing India by 451 runs. With the bat, the team will need to display the same resilience that Saleem showed with the ball if they are to salvage anything from this one-off Test.