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- IND vs AFG Live Score, One-Off Test Match Day 1: Sai Sudharsan falls for 81, KL Rahul leads India's run charge against Afghanistan
IND vs AFG Live Score, One-Off Test Match Day 1: Sai Sudharsan falls for 81, KL Rahul leads India's run charge against Afghanistan
India fielded six left-handed batters in the playing XI, only the third time they have done so, having previously featured the same number of southpaws in both Tests against South Africa last year. However, Afghanistan's seamers ensured the hosts had to work hard for their runs on a surface that offered little assistance to the bowlers.
Following Shubman Gill's decision to bat first, openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul laid a solid foundation. Jaiswal set the tone with a boundary in the first over but was unable to convert his start into a bigger contribution. Mohammad Saleem Safi provided Afghanistan with the breakthrough on the final ball of the 12th over, inducing an edge behind from the left-hander, who made 24 from 32 balls.
Sai Sudharsan, entrusted with a longer rope at No. 3, made an assured start and joined Rahul in blunting the Afghanistan attack. The pair stitched together an unbeaten stand of 55 runs from 78 deliveries, frustrating the visitors after the early success.
At the break, Rahul was batting on 37 and Sudharsan on 32, with India comfortably placed at 96/1 after 25 overs. Saleem Safi's dismissal of Jaiswal remained Afghanistan's lone reward for an otherwise disciplined effort with the ball.
Playing XIs:
India XI: KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (w), Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar, Manav Suthar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.
Afghanistan XI: Sediqullah Atal, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Abdul Malik, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Afsar Zazai (w), Azmatullah Omarzai, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Nangeyalia Kharote, Ziaur Rahman Sharifi, Mohammad Saleem Safi.
Saleem breaks the century partnership - Just when India looked ready to bat Afghanistan completely out of the session, the visitors managed a crucial breakthrough. Afghanistan bowler Mohammad Saleem provided the solitary moment of joy for his side by breaking the dangerous 139-run stand. He managed to find the edge of Sai's bat, sending a sharp catch straight into the hands of the wicketkeeper. Despite the setback, Sai's departure for a well-made 81 brought Shubman Gill to the crease, who quickly settled nerves alongside an unflappable Rahul.
Rahul and Sai dominate the post-Lunch session - India capitalized on their solid start, coming out after Lunch with aggressive intent to put Afghanistan on the back foot. Resuming at 96 for 1 after 25 overs, KL Rahul spearheaded the attack by punishing loose deliveries and turning the strike over effortlessly as India heads into the break at 209 for 2 after 50 overs. Together with Sai, Rahul shifted the momentum into overdrive as the pair stitched together a rapid, high-scoring partnership. Both batters played with authority, seamlessly rotating the strike and finding the boundaries to cross their respective half-centuries in quick succession.
TEA ON DAY 1 - 25 overs were bowled in this session, where India scored 113 runs for the loss of 1 wicket.
- Shubman Gill 20 (28)
- KL Rahul 81 (137)
Nangeyalia Kharote to Shubman Gill, This is outside the off stump, and the length stays full. Gill gets a good stride in and defends it out. That will be TEA on Day 1.
Nangeyalia Kharote to Shubman Gill, Continues to bowl quick through the air, does Kharote. Shubman pushes this full ball to cover.
Nangeyalia Kharote to Shubman Gill, Darted in full and at the stumps. Gill keeps it out with a straight bat.
Nangeyalia Kharote to Shubman Gill, Flighted delivery, full and on off. Gill gets forward and works it to mid off.
Nangeyalia Kharote to KL Rahul, Pushes it through at 83.8 kph, very full, on middle. Rahul drives it wide of mid off for a single.
Nangeyalia Kharote to KL Rahul, Coming in with the arm, on a good length, on the off stump. Rahul punches it to cover, where the fielder is a bit deep. He is keen for a single but Gill sends him back.
- Shubman Gill 20 (24)
- KL Rahul 80 (135)
Mohammad Saleem to Shubman Gill, FOUR! Easily done! Mohammad Saleem varies his length as he looks to go short, on middle. This sits up to be hit, on middle. Gill swivels and pulls it through square leg for the second boundary of the over.
Mohammad Saleem to Shubman Gill, This is bowled by going wide on the crease, outside the off stump. Gill shoulders arms.
Mohammad Saleem to Shubman Gill, FOUR! Put away! Saleem tries to fire it in full but errs in his line. He drifts onto the pads, and Gill makes him play. Shubman flicks it to the left of deep fine leg, and it races away.
Mohammad Saleem to Shubman Gill, At 133.8 kph, on a back of a length, on top of off. Shubman stands tall and tucks it to the man at a short mid-wicket.
Mohammad Saleem to Shubman Gill, Goes full and gets the ball to curve back in, on middle. Gill pushes it to mid on.
Mohammad Saleem to Shubman Gill, Hits the bat hard, does Saleem. Honing in on the off stump, on a good length. Shubman knocks it to cover.
- KL Rahul 80 (135)
- Shubman Gill 12 (18)
Nangeyalia Kharote to KL Rahul, Slower and on a good length, on off. KL dead bats it.
Nangeyalia Kharote to KL Rahul, Full and sprayed down leg. Rahul misses out on the sweep. The ball grazes the pads of the batter before getting to the keeper.
Nangeyalia Kharote to KL Rahul, Back to bowling it in line with the off stump, Rahul covers the line and blocks it off.
Nangeyalia Kharote to KL Rahul, FOUR! Easy pickings! Drifts down leg, on a length. Rahul presses back and also gets inside the line of the ball. He paddles it down to fine leg for a boundary. The 200 is up for India.
Nangeyalia Kharote to KL Rahul, Slows it down and it drops on the batter, full and on the off stump. Rahul smothers the spin by leaning forward.
Nangeyalia Kharote to KL Rahul, From around the wicket, darted in full and on middle. Rahul gets forward for the block.
Nangeyalia Kharote has been called back into the attack.
- Shubman Gill 12 (18)
- KL Rahul 76 (129)
Mohammad Saleem to Shubman Gill, An effort ball by Saleem, dug in short, over off. Shubman sways away and drops his wrists to let the ball go through to the keeper.
Mohammad Saleem to Shubman Gill, FOUR! Nice shot. A little too straight, on the pads and the length is full. Gill presses forward, gets his head right over the ball and flicks it to the right of mid on for a boundary.
Mohammad Saleem to Shubman Gill, The inside edge saves Gill. Tailing back into the right-hander, full and at the sticks. Shubman tries to force the drive down the ground with a straight bat. Just about ekes out an inside edge onto the front pad.
Mohammad Saleem to Shubman Gill, Hits the nagging length, in and around the off stump. Gill defends it from the crease.
Mohammad Saleem to Shubman Gill, Angled in on a length, outside the off stump. Gill covers the off stump and makes the leave.
Mohammad Saleem to KL Rahul, Starts with a full ball, around off. Rahul gets low and plays it through point for a single.
- Shubman Gill 8 (13)
- KL Rahul 75 (128)
Hashmatullah Shahidi to Shubman Gill, Rapped on the pads, but turned down! Where is the impact? The keeper appealed with a lot of conviction. Hashmatullah Shahidi does not look as certain, but he has gone for the review. The length is dragged back a bit, around the off stump. Gill reaches out in front to smother the spin but fails to get to the pitch of the ball. The ball spins past the inside edge to catch him low on the front pad. No bat involved, but the ball is doing too much. It is going well past the leg stump on Ball Tracking. Afghanistan are left with only one review.
Hashmatullah Shahidi to Shubman Gill, At the sticks, full in length. Gill blocks it off.
Hashmatullah Shahidi to Shubman Gill, FOUR! Gets it through! A bit too full and width offered by Hashmatullah Shahidi. Gill climbs onto it as he drills it all along the ground between cover and mid off for his first boundary.
Hashmatullah Shahidi to KL Rahul, Stays full, on middle. Rahul makes room and angles the drive to the left of mid off. They cross.
Hashmatullah Shahidi to Shubman Gill, Full and a bit quick, on off. Shubman knocks it down to long on for one.
Hashmatullah Shahidi to Shubman Gill, Tossed up, full and on off. Gill brings his bat out in front of the front pad and clips it to mid-wicket.
- Shubman Gill 3 (8)
- KL Rahul 74 (127)
Mohammad Saleem to Shubman Gill, A bit of reverse on this ball, on a good length, on off. Gill jabs it off the back foot to the right of mid on and keeps the strike with a single.
Mohammad Saleem to Shubman Gill, This is on a back of a length, in the channel on off. Shubman dabs it to point.
Mohammad Saleem to Shubman Gill, Drags the length back, over the off stump. Gill pats it to cover from the crease.
Mohammad Saleem to Shubman Gill, Tailing back in, on a good length, on middle. Shubman Gill taps it down the strip with a straight bat.
Mohammad Saleem to KL Rahul, Angled in at the hips, on a back of a length. KL helps it down to deep fine leg and crosses over.
Mohammad Saleem to KL Rahul, Saleem bangs it in short, over middle. Rahul swivels and gets his hands high for the pull. He connects well but can't beat the man at mid-wicket.
- Shubman Gill 2 (4)
- KL Rahul 73 (125)
Hashmatullah Shahidi to Shubman Gill, Full and attacking the front pad, Gill defends it out.
Hashmatullah Shahidi to KL Rahul, Looped up, on middle. Rahul pushes this to long on to pick up a single.
Hashmatullah Shahidi to KL Rahul, That kept low. Turning back in sharply, on a nagging length, on middle. Rahul rocks back and does well to adjust to the low bounce. He watchfully keeps it out.
Hashmatullah Shahidi to KL Rahul, Fired onto the pads, KL Rahul rocks back and nudges this towards mid-wicket.
Hashmatullah Shahidi to Shubman Gill, Fuller on middle and leg, Shubman Gill flicks this to long on for a single.
Hashmatullah Shahidi to Shubman Gill, Tossed up, on the pads, Shubman Gill tucks this to short fine leg.
- KL Rahul 72 (122)
- Shubman Gill 1 (1)
Mohammad Saleem to KL Rahul, Back of a length, around off, KL Rahul blocks this off his back foot.
Mohammad Saleem to Shubman Gill, Hard length, on middle and off, Shubman Gill tucks this towards the right of mid on for a single to get off the mark.
Indian skipper, Shubman Gill, walks out at 4.
Mohammad Saleem to Sai Sudharsan, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! A sharp grab from the keeper and Mohammad Saleem has broken through for Afghanistan. Bowled by going wide on the crease on the around-the-wicket angle. This is very full, outside off. A bit of a late decision by Sudharsan to go for the drive and he hurriedly gets his bat down. The ball behind goes off an outside edge, where the keeper, Afsar Zazai dives to his left and holds onto it. Earlier in the session, we saw a similar ball go through the keeper and the first slip but not this time. The 139-run stand has been broken and India are now 180/2.
After captain Shubman Gill opted to bat, India made a positive start through Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rahul. Jaiswal got off the mark with a crisp boundary off Ziaur Rahman Sharifi in the opening over, but Afghanistan's bowlers maintained tight lines and prevented the hosts from scoring freely.
The visitors earned a deserved breakthrough in the 12th over when Mohammad Saleem Safi induced an edge from Jaiswal, who departed for 24 off 32 balls after a promising start. The dismissal brought Sai Sudharsan to the crease, and the left-hander quickly settled in alongside the experienced Rahul.
The duo ensured there were no further setbacks before lunch, adding an unbeaten 55 runs for the second wicket from 78 deliveries. Rahul looked composed on 37 not out, while Sudharsan was unbeaten on 32 as India reached 96/1 after 25 overs.
Saleem Safi was the lone wicket-taker for Afghanistan, finishing the session with figures of 1/27 as the visitors searched for more breakthroughs.
