India dominates Afghanistan in the Only Test, reaching 368/3. Discover how Rahul and Gill led the charge in this thrilling cricket encounter.
Introduction:Â India Dominates Day One of New Chandigarh Test
India’s batting powerhouse put on a spectacular exhibition of test match cricket, ending Day One of the highly anticipated standalone Test match against Afghanistan at a commanding 368 for 3.
Playing at the picturesque new stadium in New Chandigarh, the Indian top-order completely took the game away from the visitors. Gritty and determined centuries from KL Rahul and a regal Shubman Gill anchored the hosts’ dominant display. Afghanistan, playing their first Test match against India since their historic format debut back in 2018, fought bravely but were ultimately left picking up the pieces after a day of missed opportunities and exhausting bowling spells.
Afghanistan Laments a Major Review Blunder
The morning session began with an electric atmosphere as test cricket made its grand debut at the New Chandigarh venue. Winning the toss and opting to bat, India looked to lay down an immediate marker. Opening batsman Sai Sudharsan set a phenomenal foundation for the hosts, striking a fluent and elegant 81 to get the scoreboard ticking over nicely against a fresh Afghan bowling attack.
However, the defining moment of the morning session arrived very early, in the 11th over of the day. KL Rahul, who was scratching around for rhythm and batting on just 16, attempted a sharp cut shot off the bowling of seamer Ziaur Ahmed. The ball zipped past the bat, and there was a muffled sound as it carried through to the wicketkeeper.
The Afghan players shouted in appeal, but the on-field umpire shook his head. Crucially, Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi opted against using the Decision Review System (DRS). Subsequent television replays confirmed a distinct edge, leaving the Afghan team completely devastated. See also:Â Shubman Gill Leads New-Look India: Test Squad for England 2025
It was a massive tactical error. Instead of sending Rahul back to the pavilion early and exposing India’s middle order, Afghanistan handed one of the world’s finest batsmen a lifeline—a mistake they would regret for the rest of the day.
Wearying the Attack: Rahul and Gill Construct a Fortress
Having survived the early scare, Rahul slowly began to rebuild his innings with immense patience. He was joined in the middle by the stylish Shubman Gill, and together, the duo began systematically dismantling the opposition’s game plan.
As the afternoon sun beat down on the New Chandigarh outfield, the pitch flattened out, offering very little assistance to the spin or pace of the visitors. Afghanistan’s bowling attack worked incredibly hard, creating a handful of half-chances through sheer determination. However, a combination of loose fielding and defensive field placements meant they simply could not cash in on those rare moments of opportunity.
Slowly but surely, the Afghan bowlers began to tire. India’s batsmen ruthlessly took advantage of the fatigue, rotating the strike with ease and punishing any loose deliveries to the boundary ropes. Shubman Gill was the chief aggressor, playing a series of regal cover drives and effortless short-arm pulls that delighted the packed home crowd.
Rahul played the perfect supporting role, grinding down the bowlers and anchoring the partnership with classic test-match discipline. By the time the tea break arrived, the momentum had completely and permanently shifted into India’s corner.
Gritty Rahul and Regal Gill Unstoppable in the Final Session
The final session of the day belonged entirely to the history books as India’s batsmen began racing toward their individual milestones. In the 61st over, the moment the stadium had been waiting for finally arrived. KL Rahul faced a full ball aimed at his pads and smoothly flicked it through the mid-wicket region. As the ball raced away, Rahul raised his bat to celebrate a gritty, hard-fought century—his 12th in Test cricket. It was an innings of pure survival early on, transforming into total dominance.
Not to be outdone, Shubman Gill continued his sublime form at the other end. Playing with majestic freedom, Gill danced down the track to the spinners and lofted them cleanly over the infield. He brought up his own magnificent century shortly after, remaining unbeaten at stumps on a brilliant 103*.
While Afghanistan did manage a late breakthrough when bowler Saleem picked up his second wicket of the day (2-67) to remove a well-set batsman, India closed the day in a position of ultimate strength. Explosive wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant joined Gill for the final overs, smashing a quick-fire 50* to push India past the 350-mark and leave Afghanistan with a massive defensive mountain to climb on Day Two.
