IND vs AFG Live Score, One-Off Test Match Day 2: India's superior batting depth and Afghanistan's depleted spin resources were lai...
IND vs AFG Live Score, One-Off Test Match Day 2: India's superior batting depth and Afghanistan's depleted spin resources were laid bare on the opening day of the one-off Test as centuries from KL Rahul and captain Shubman Gill powered the hosts to a dominant 368 for three by stumps.
Rahul's innings was a lesson in patience and discipline. The right-hander overcame an early reprieve — a faint edge that went unnoticed by wicketkeeper Afsar Zazai — to compile a measured 100 off 165 balls. His innings allowed the more fluent Sai Sudharsan to play freely during their 139-run second-wicket partnership. The left-hander looked set for a maiden Test century before falling for 81 after surviving two earlier chances.
If Rahul represented restraint, Gill epitomised authority. The captain batted with remarkable ease, treating the weary Afghan bowlers with disdain while remaining unbeaten on 103 off 143 deliveries. His 11 boundaries and a straight six reflected the confidence with which he controlled proceedings. Alongside the adventurous Rishabh Pant, who blasted three sixes in an unbeaten half-century, Gill added 121 runs for the fourth wicket to further flatten Afghanistan.
While Mohammad Saleem emerged as Afghanistan's most successful bowler with figures of 2 for 67, it was pacer Ziaur Rahman who posed the biggest challenge. However, the visitors' biggest problem lay in their spin department. In the absence of their established stars, Nangeyalia Kharote and Abdul Malik lacked the quality to trouble India's accomplished batters.
India scored freely without resorting to all-out aggression, collecting 42 boundaries and four sixes. With the pitch expected to aid spin as the game progresses, the hosts appear firmly on course to dictate the contest and possibly force a result well before the scheduled fifth day.
Rahul's innings was a lesson in patience and discipline. The right-hander overcame an early reprieve — a faint edge that went unnoticed by wicketkeeper Afsar Zazai — to compile a measured 100 off 165 balls. His innings allowed the more fluent Sai Sudharsan to play freely during their 139-run second-wicket partnership. The left-hander looked set for a maiden Test century before falling for 81 after surviving two earlier chances.
If Rahul represented restraint, Gill epitomised authority. The captain batted with remarkable ease, treating the weary Afghan bowlers with disdain while remaining unbeaten on 103 off 143 deliveries. His 11 boundaries and a straight six reflected the confidence with which he controlled proceedings. Alongside the adventurous Rishabh Pant, who blasted three sixes in an unbeaten half-century, Gill added 121 runs for the fourth wicket to further flatten Afghanistan.
While Mohammad Saleem emerged as Afghanistan's most successful bowler with figures of 2 for 67, it was pacer Ziaur Rahman who posed the biggest challenge. However, the visitors' biggest problem lay in their spin department. In the absence of their established stars, Nangeyalia Kharote and Abdul Malik lacked the quality to trouble India's accomplished batters.
India scored freely without resorting to all-out aggression, collecting 42 boundaries and four sixes. With the pitch expected to aid spin as the game progresses, the hosts appear firmly on course to dictate the contest and possibly force a result well before the scheduled fifth day.