India march ahead despite Saleem’s strikes, Pant misses out on century

India Maintain Dominance on Day 2 in New Chandigarh

The second morning of the Test match in New Chandigarh witnessed a thrilling battle between bat and ball. India march ahead despite Saleem’s strikes, Pant misses out on century as the hosts posted a formidable 475 for 6 by the lunch break. Scoring at a rapid pace of 4.28 runs per over, India added 107 runs in the 25 overs bowled during the session. However, the session was far from one-sided, with Afghanistan’s bowling attack, led by the spirited Mohammad Saleem, posing serious questions and claiming three crucial breakthroughs.

Afghanistan’s New Ball Surge and Review Regrets

Afghanistan began the day with high intensity, taking the second new ball in the very second over of the morning. Azmatullah Omarzai immediately found both seam movement and swing in the air, creating tense moments for the Indian overnight batters. In a dramatic 89th over, Omarzai looked to have turned the game on its head. He first trapped the set Shubman Gill in front of leg stump with a sharp delivery, and on the very next ball, found the outside edge of Rishabh Pant‘s bat, which flew straight to the wicketkeeper.

To the dismay of the tourists, the on-field umpire turned down both appeals. Despite having one review remaining in their bank, Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi opted not to challenge either decision. Replays later suggested that they had missed a golden opportunity to put India under severe pressure early on, marking a massive tactical lapse for the visitors.

Pant and Gill Launch a Swift Counterattack

Having survived the early scare, Rishabh Pant wasted no time in asserting his dominance. After playing out a quiet maiden over against spinner Ziaur Rahman, Pant decided to use his feet. He charged down the track twice in Zia’s next over, dispatching him for two boundary strokes to shift the momentum back to the batting side.

At the other end, Shubman Gill looked equally fluent. He brought up India’s 400-run milestone with an exquisite cut shot. When Mohammad Saleem replaced Ziaur Rahman, Gill capitalised on the bowler’s search for rhythm. Saleem erred first with an overpitched delivery and then with a short ball, both of which were promptly dispatched by Gill to the boundary ropes.

The Saleem Show: Breaking the Partnerships

Despite being expensive early on, Mohammad Saleem showed great character and tactical awareness. In the 96th over, Saleem deliberately pulled his length back, extracting extra bounce from the surface. The adjustment paid off immediately as Gill poked at a rising delivery, nicking it through to the wicketkeeper. Gill was dismissed after adding 23 runs to his overnight score, departing after a solid contribution.

Saleem continued to trouble the Indian batters. In his next over, he nearly induced an inside edge from Pant onto the stumps. Although Pant and the incoming Dhruv Jurel managed to score boundaries off Saleem’s short-pitched deliveries, the bowler had the last laugh against Jurel. Just after Jurel pulled a boundary to bring up India’s 450, Saleem delivered a beautiful, nipping-back delivery. Jurel opted to shoulder arms, only to watch in disbelief as the ball jagged back to clip the top of off-stump. It was a classic fast-bowler’s dismissal, rewarding Saleem’s persistence.

Rishabh Pant Falls Short of a Deserved Milestone

Rishabh Pant’s eventful innings continued to keep the spectators on the edge of their seats. In the 101st over, a moment of lazy running nearly cost him his wicket, but he survived the run-out chance. However, his luck finally ran out when Afghanistan introduced spin for the first time in the session during the 103rd over.

Looking to dominate the spinner and reach his century in trademark style, Pant attempted to clear the long-off boundary. Unfortunately for the dynamic left-hander, he did not get the required elevation and holed out to the fielder at long-off for 81. While it was a highly entertaining knock that put India in a commanding position, Pant will undoubtedly be disappointed at missing out on a well-deserved Test century.

Suthar and Sundar Guide India to Lunch

Following Pant’s dismissal, debutant Manav Suthar walked out to join Washington Sundar. Suthar had a nervous moment early in his innings when he miscued a shot off Hashmatullah Shahidi, but fortunately for him, the ball flew safely wide of the mid-on fielder. Aside from that solitary scare, Suthar looked remarkably composed at the crease.

The two young bowling allrounders played with sensible caution, neutralizing the Afghan spinners and ensuring no further damage was done before the lunch bell. Washington Sundar remained unbeaten on 14, while Suthar supported him well with 9 not out. India finished the session at 475 for 6, firmly in control of the match but aware that Afghanistan’s bowlers, particularly Saleem with figures of 4 for 109, remain a threat on this surface.