KL Rahul and Shubman Gill Tons Put India in Complete Control Against Afghanistan
India asserted complete control on the opening day of the one-off Test against Afghanistan in Mullanpur, finishing at 368/3 after a dominant batting display. Eight years after Afghanistan’s first Test against India ended within two days, the visitors were handed another tough lesson in red-ball cricket as centuries from KL Rahul and captain Shubman Gill put the hosts in a commanding position. Rishabh Pant remained unbeaten on a brisk half-century, while Sai Sudharsan impressed with a valuable 81 at No. 3.
After winning the toss and opting to bat, India faced a disciplined Afghanistan bowling attack in the opening session. The visitors had clear plans for both openers, restricting Yashasvi Jaiswal's scoring areas and forcing Rahul to play outside off stump. Afghanistan created several opportunities, including a crucial edge from Rahul that went unnoticed after captain Hashmatullah Shahidi chose not to review despite strong appeals from his teammates. Jaiswal eventually departed, but Rahul and Sudharsan steadied the innings with a crucial partnership.
Sudharsan made the most of another opportunity in the Test side, showing confidence and composure throughout his innings. The left-hander survived an early chance and gradually grew into his knock, bringing up a fluent half-century. Alongside Rahul, he added 131 runs for the second wicket, helping India recover and reach 104 at lunch. Although Afghanistan eventually broke the partnership, the damage had already been done.
Rahul's Century Gives India Complete Control
The pitch, which offered occasional uneven bounce in the morning session, became increasingly batting-friendly as the day progressed. Rahul capitalized on the improved conditions, accelerating after lunch and mixing caution with attacking strokeplay. He eventually brought up a well-deserved century before falling shortly after reaching the landmark, having laid a solid platform for India.
Shubman Gill then took center stage and continued the excellent form that has defined his year. The Indian captain looked comfortable from the outset, surviving an LBW appeal before unleashing a range of elegant strokes. After reaching his fifty, Gill shifted gears and completed his century in style, registering his sixth Test hundred as captain. Pant provided ideal support, striking several towering sixes as the pair added quick runs during the final session.
For Afghanistan, the day was a frustrating one filled with missed opportunities. Dropped catches, poor DRS decisions, and inconsistent bowling allowed India to dominate despite a promising start from the visitors. While coach Jonathan Trott had earlier emphasized the importance of more Test opportunities for Afghanistan, Day 1 highlighted the gap that still exists between them and the top Test nations. With India firmly on top, Afghanistan will need a much-improved performance on Day 2 to avoid another short and one-sided Test match.