Indian batters turn up heat
Rahul, Shubman centuries put hosts in driving seat against Afghanistan
A fine batting performance from India’s top-order saw the hosts post 368/3 against an average bowling attack of Afghanistan on a scorching Day 1 of their one-off Test here today. Opener KL Rahul and skipper Shubman Gill scored solid centuries in front of a handful of crowd, while Sai Sudharsan and Rishabh Pant scored half-centuries as India piled on the runs with considerable ease.
Rahul posted the 12th Test ton of his career, hitting 11 fours in his 165-ball 100. Gill remained unbeaten on 103 off 143 balls alongside Pant (50 off 70 balls). No. 3 Sudharsan reached 81 off 104 balls before being caught behind.
Gill became the second-fastest Indian captain to reach the 1000-run mark, achieving the feat in his 15th Test innings. Sunil Gavaskar did it in 14 innings. Meanwhile, Pant became only the third Indian wicketkeeper to play 50 Test matches, joining MS Dhoni and Syed Kirmani.
The lack of experience of the Afghanistan bowlers showed in their inability to build pressure on the Indian batters. Afghanistan bowled too many loose balls, conceding 42 boundaries and four sixes. Off-spinner Abdul Malik bowled four no-balls in his six-over spell, revealing the side’s struggle to find rhythm. Mohammad Saleem was their most successful bowler while Ziaur Rahman troubled the Indian batters without much success.
Given the conditions, it is unlikely that India would bat more than a session and half on the second day before declaring and testing the visitors with their spinners, including debutant Manav Suthar. Soon after the completion of first day’s play, Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar were out in the centre to have a close look at the track.
