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

A Commanding Start in New Chandigarh

The inaugural Test match in New Chandigarh witnessed a masterclass in batting as India asserted their dominance over Afghanistan on the opening day. With the scoreboard reading 368 for 3 at the close of play, the hosts put themselves in a position of complete authority. The narrative of the day was defined by the clinical performances of KL Rahul and Shubman Gill, both of whom reached three-figure scores, while B Sai Sudharsan and Rishabh Pant provided essential support to build a mountain of runs.

Overcoming Early Challenges

Choosing to bat first in 40-degree heat, India captain Shubman Gill expected the surface to deteriorate as the match progressed. However, the early morning conditions favored the seamers. Afghanistan’s new-ball pairing, Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohammad Saleem, extracted significant movement and uneven bounce early on. KL Rahul, in particular, had to navigate a challenging spell, notably surviving a dropped review in the 11th over when he edged a delivery from Ziaur Ahmed while on just 16.

Yashasvi Jaiswal, who opened alongside Rahul, looked positive before succumbing to an inswinger from Mohammad Saleem, departing for 24. This early breakthrough gave Afghanistan a glimmer of hope, but it proved to be a fleeting moment of success for the visitors.

Stability and Growth

Following Jaiswal’s dismissal, B Sai Sudharsan joined Rahul to stabilize the innings. The duo capitalized on the fading swing of the new ball. Sudharsan looked particularly fluent, striking boundaries with ease until he was eventually dismissed for a well-compiled 81, a victim of a brilliant one-handed catch by wicketkeeper Afsar Zazai off the bowling of Saleem. Despite the loss of the wicket, the 131-run partnership had effectively wrestled control away from the Afghan bowlers.

The Rahul and Gill Show

The centerpiece of the day was the partnership between KL Rahul and Shubman Gill. Rahul, having weathered the early storm, showcased immense patience and grit to reach his 12th Test century. His innings was a testament to his ability to leave the ball well and rotate the strike when boundaries were hard to come by. Unfortunately, his innings ended on exactly 100, marking the third time in his career he has perished on that specific score.

Shubman Gill’s century, his 11th in the format, was a masterclass in controlled aggression. Once he settled in, he dismantled the tired Afghan attack, unfurling his trademark drives and cuts with elegance. He finished the day unbeaten, having anchored the innings throughout the final sessions.

Pant’s Late Flourish

The final hour of play saw the arrival of Rishabh Pant, playing in his 50th Test match. While he initially adopted a restrained approach, the lure of some loose bowling from offspinner Abdul Malik was too much to resist. Pant unleashed his characteristic power, dispatching several sixes to accelerate the scoring rate. He reached his own half-century off just 70 balls on the penultimate delivery of the day, ensuring India ended on a high note.

Afghanistan’s Toil

For Afghanistan, the day was one of immense physical demand. While the bowling attack displayed flashes of brilliance—notably the persistent effort of captain Hashmatullah Shahidi and the pace of Mohammad Saleem—the lack of discipline in lines and lengths allowed India to capitalize on the worn-out ball. As the pitch began to turn and grip, the visitors struggled to create consistent pressure, resulting in a challenging day in the field that leaves them with a massive mountain to climb when play resumes on day two.