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

A Commanding Start in New Chandigarh

In a historic opening day at New Chandigarh, which hosted its first-ever men’s Test match, the Indian cricket team asserted their dominance over Afghanistan. By the close of play, India reached a formidable 368 for 3, driven by centuries from KL Rahul and Shubman Gill. Despite the sweltering 40-degree Celsius heat, the Indian batting unit showcased technical resilience and aggressive intent to put the visitors firmly on the back foot.

Early Struggles and Tactical Resilience

The day began with India captain Shubman Gill opting to bat first, anticipating that the pitch would deteriorate as the match progressed. Afghanistan’s new-ball duo, Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohammad Saleem, immediately challenged the hosts, extracting unpredictable bounce and movement off the deck. KL Rahul, in particular, looked shaky in the early exchanges, reaching for deliveries far from his body. Afghanistan missed a golden opportunity in the 11th over when a thin edge off Rahul’s bat went unnoticed by the fielding side, who opted against a review.

Yashasvi Jaiswal, playing with more fluency, looked set for a significant score before falling to Mohammad Saleem. His departure for 24 gave the Afghan pacer his maiden Test wicket, providing a brief glimmer of hope for the touring side.

Partnerships and Pressure

Following the early breakthrough, B Sai Sudharsan joined Rahul to stabilize the innings. As the new-ball swing faded, the pitch became more favorable for batting. Sudharsan played with elegance, stitching together a vital 131-run partnership with Rahul. However, the youngster was eventually dismissed for 81, caught by Afsar Zazai after an expansive drive against Saleem. Despite this, the foundation for a massive total had been laid.

The Rahul-Gill Masterclass

As the day progressed, the surface began to offer more assistance to the spinners, with Hashmatullah Shahidi using drift to test the batters. However, the Indian middle order remained largely untroubled. Shubman Gill, playing with authority, began to dismantle the Afghan attack after the tea break. His century—his 11th in Test cricket—was a masterclass in timing, characterized by crisp drives and precise cuts.

KL Rahul also reached his 12th Test century, displaying a gritty resolve against the seamers. Remarkably, Rahul fell for exactly 100 runs shortly after reaching his milestone, marking the third time in his career he has been dismissed on that specific score. His departure invited Rishabh Pant to the crease.

Pant’s Aggression and Closing Stages

In his 50th Test appearance, Rishabh Pant initially played with uncharacteristic restraint. As the light faded and the ball grew soft, he shifted gears, punishing offspinner Abdul Malik with three explosive sixes. His ability to manipulate the field was on full display as he brought up his own half-century off 70 balls on the final delivery of the day.

Gill reached his own century just minutes before the close of play in the 83rd over. Afghanistan, choosing not to take the new ball, allowed the Indian duo to dictate terms until the stumps were drawn. With the score at 368 for 3, India appears to be in an unassailable position, leaving Afghanistan with a monumental task heading into the second day.

Summary of Play

• India: 368 for 3 (Gill 103*, Rahul 100, Sudharsan 81, Pant 50*)
• Afghanistan: Bowling led by Mohammad Saleem (2-67)
• Key Takeaway: India’s dominance in the opening session and the clinical nature of their top-order batting have set the tone for the remainder of this historic Test match.