India march ahead despite Saleem’s strikes, Pant misses out on century
A Morning of Resilience in New Chandigarh
The second morning of the Test match in New Chandigarh proved to be a test of character for the Indian batting lineup. As the session progressed, India marched ahead despite Saleem’s strikes, Pant misses out on century during a defining stretch of play that saw the scoreboard tick over to 475 for 6 by the lunch break. While the hosts managed to add 107 runs in 25 overs at a healthy run rate of 4.28, the morning was characterized by frequent interruptions to their momentum.
The Battle Against the New Ball
Afghanistan began the day with a clear game plan, taking the second new ball in the very second over. The move paid dividends early on as Azmatullah Omarzai found immediate seam and swing, causing significant discomfort to the set batters. There was a moment of high drama in the 89th over when Omarzai trapped both Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant in front of the stumps. On both occasions, the umpire signaled not out, and despite having one review remaining, Afghanistan opted not to challenge, a decision they would likely reflect upon with some frustration as the session wore on.
Saleem Turns the Tide
While Omarzai provided the initial pressure, it was Mohammad Saleem who emerged as the standout performer for the visiting side. Saleem’s persistent approach proved problematic for the Indian middle order. After conceding some early boundaries to a proactive Rishabh Pant and a composed Shubman Gill, Saleem adjusted his length perfectly. His breakthrough came at the stroke of drinks when he induced a nick from Shubman Gill, ending a valuable innings. Following that, Saleem’s accuracy forced mistakes, eventually claiming the wicket of Dhruv Jurel, who shouldered arms to a delivery that nipped back sharply to rattle the top of his off stump. Although Saleem proved expensive at times, conceding 42 runs in his seven-over spell, his ability to break partnerships kept Afghanistan firmly in the hunt.
Rishabh Pant’s Aggressive Intentions
Rishabh Pant looked in excellent touch, showcasing his trademark aggression. After a brief maiden over, he charged down the track against Ziaur Rahman, picking up crucial boundaries and dictating terms. However, his hunt for a century was cut short. After surviving a close call in the 101st over due to some hesitant running between the wickets, his luck finally ran out two overs later. Seeking to clear the boundary against the newly introduced spin of Hashmatullah Shahidi, Pant miscued his shot and holed out at long-off for 81. It was a significant blow for India, as the flamboyant left-hander looked set for a major milestone.
Looking Ahead to the Afternoon
As the session drew to a close, debutant Manav Suthar joined Washington Sundar at the crease. The duo managed to see off the remaining overs without further damage. Shahidi, who introduced himself into the attack, briefly troubled Suthar with a shot that flew dangerously wide of mid-on, but the debutant otherwise remained comfortable. Heading into the break at 475 for 6, India will look to consolidate their position, while Afghanistan will hope to wrap up the tail quickly to keep the target within reach. With two bowling all-rounders currently at the crease, the afternoon session promises to be another fascinating chapter in this New Chandigarh encounter.
