Rahul, Gill hit centuries as India dominate Afghanistan on opening day in New Chandigarh Test

The vibrant city of New Chandigarh played host to a historic cricketing occasion as it welcomed its first-ever men’s Test match. On a scorching day where temperatures soared to 40 degrees Celsius, India’s captain Shubman Gill won the toss and elected to bat first, anticipating a pitch that would progressively deteriorate over the course of the match. What unfolded was a day dominated by the bat, as India asserted their authority, finishing day one on a commanding 368 for 3 against Afghanistan in their first Test encounter since 2018.

Early Jitters and Afghanistan’s Brief Hope

Afghanistan’s new-ball bowlers, Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohammad Saleem, started with vigour, immediately extracting uneven bounce from the fresh pitch. Their strategy of bowling back-of-a-length deliveries, consistently moving the ball away from the Indian openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul, initially posed challenges. Rahul, in particular, appeared tentative, reaching for deliveries far from his body and frequently mistiming his shots. By the end of the tenth over, he had ambled to a modest 16 runs off 34 balls.

Jaiswal, at the other end, showed more intent, capitalizing on fuller deliveries to race to 20 off 26. However, a moment of fortune, or rather misfortune for Afghanistan, occurred in the 11th over. Rahul, on 16, edged a wide delivery from Ziaur Ahmed while attempting a slash. Both bowler and keeper appealed vociferously, but the decision remained not out, and crucially, Afghanistan opted against a review. Replays later confirmed a clear edge, a missed opportunity that would prove costly for the debutants.

The very next over saw a breakthrough for Afghanistan. Jaiswal, after leaning into a confident front-foot drive, attempted to flick an inswinger from Mohammad Saleem off his hips. The ball took a faint edge, carrying to the keeper and ending Jaiswal’s brisk innings at 24 off 32 balls. Saleem celebrated his maiden Test wicket, providing Afghanistan a much-needed boost against the run of play. This early dismissal brought B Sai Sudharsan to the crease, with India at 39 for 1.

Rahul and Sudharsan Lay a Solid Foundation

Following Jaiswal’s departure, the new-ball swing began to dissipate, and the pitch became less treacherous, settling down into a more predictable rhythm. B Sai Sudharsan, making the most of this period, quickly found his rhythm. He announced his arrival with three well-struck fours within his first 15 deliveries, showcasing his fluent stroke play and composure under pressure. Sudharsan’s aggressive yet controlled approach complemented Rahul’s more circumspect batting as the pair began to build a formidable partnership.

Rahul, having survived the early scare, settled into a rhythm, leaving deliveries outside off and dead-batting those that gripped. His experience shone through as he navigated the initial challenges, patiently accumulating runs and waiting for the loose deliveries. The second-wicket partnership blossomed, reaching 131 runs, as both batsmen steadily chipped away at Afghanistan’s bowling attack. Sudharsan, looking increasingly comfortable, seemed destined for a maiden Test century. However, his innings was cut short on 81 when he played an expansive drive outside off against Saleem. This time, the ball flew into the slip cordon, where wicketkeeper Afsar Zazai pulled off a spectacular one-handed catch diving to his left, ending a promising knock.

Gill Joins Rahul: Dominance Unleashed

As the day progressed, the New Chandigarh surface began to show signs of grip and turn, bringing Afghanistan’s spinners into the game. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi proved to be their most effective spinner, bowling slowly and using drift to trouble the batsmen. Despite his efforts, he rarely induced any genuine chances, with edges often flying past the fielders. Debutant Nangeyalia Kharote also had a moment of hope, inducing a thin edge off Sai Sudharsan with his fourth delivery, only for Rahmanullah Gurbaz to drop the catch at first slip. However, Kharote, along with part-timer Abdul Malik, often strayed into leg-stump lines, allowing the Indian batsmen to score freely.

It was after the tea break that Shubman Gill truly took command. If Rahul’s century was a testament to his resilience against the early swing and seam, Gill’s imperious hundred showcased his elegant stroke play against a tiring attack. He pounced on good-length deliveries outside off, unfurling exquisite drives and executing trademark cuts close to his body. His innings was a masterclass in controlled aggression, decorated with 11 fours and one towering six.

Gill found an able partner in Rahul, as they forged a 67-run partnership for the third wicket. Rahul, having battled hard throughout the day, brought up his gritty 12th Test century with a flick off his pads in the 61st over. However, just one delivery after reaching his milestone, Rahul perished for exactly 100. He played a loose waft away from his body off Ziaur, sending a catch straight to short extra cover. This marked the third time in his Test career that Rahul had been dismissed on 100, placing him joint-second in this unique record alongside other notable batsmen.

Pant’s Explosive Cameo and Close of Play

With Rahul’s departure, Rishabh Pant walked out to the middle, joining Gill. The message from the dressing room was clear: India aimed to shut up shop for the final hour of play. Pant, playing in his 50th Test match for India, initially adopted an unusually restrained approach, batting within his means. However, his eyes lit up in the 68th over against off-spinner Abdul Malik. Taking full advantage of half-trackers, Pant unleashed three characteristic flat-batted sixes, injecting a burst of dynamism into the final session. These would, tellingly, be his only sixes of the evening, as he settled back into a more measured approach.

Shubman Gill, continuing his elegant assault, brought up his 11th Test century just minutes before the close of play. A flick to square leg in the 83rd over off Saleem confirmed his magnificent hundred, a fitting reward for his dominant display. Afghanistan, surprisingly, opted against taking the new ball, continuing to bowl with a battered ball until stumps. Pant, meanwhile, expertly manipulated a thinly spread leg-side field in these final overs, nudging and rotating the strike to bring up his own aggressive fifty off 70 balls, achieved on the penultimate delivery of the day’s play. India ended the day in a commanding position, 368 for 3, having thoroughly dominated Afghanistan and set a formidable platform for the remainder of the Test.