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- IND vs AFG Highlights, One-Off Test Match Day 1: Shubman Gill, KL Rahul hit centuries as India finish at 368/3 at Stumps
IND vs AFG Highlights, One-Off Test Match Day 1: Shubman Gill, KL Rahul hit centuries as India finish at 368/3 at Stumps
Rahul (100 off 165 balls) showed the value of defence while skipper Gill (103 batting off 143 balls) was intent-personified on a day when India decided to give a batting masterclass in Tests to an Afghanistan attack that was high on spirit but low on skill quotient.
The manner in which Gill batted, it seemed like he was playing a practice game.
The languid approach and the lazy elegance was on view as he held an already tired Afghan attack by the scruff of its neck, hitting 11 fours and a straight six. In his 41st Test, the Indian skipper now has 11 centuries.
The one who would rue missing out on a three figure mark is Sai Sudharsan (81 off 104 balls) despite getting two reprieves while Rishabh Pant was happy smashing three effortless sixes en route his unbeaten half-century off just 70 balls.
It is unlikely that India would bat more than a session and half on the second day before declaration and unleashing their spin troika on Afghanistan.
Azmatullah Omarzai to Shubman Gill, This keeps a bit low, outside off. Not short enough for the cut and Gill ends up chopping it down on the off side.
Azmatullah Omarzai to KL Rahul, The 50-run stand comes up with this single. Pushes the length up and this is outside off. Rahul reaches out and checks the drive as he plays it to deep point.
Azmatullah Omarzai to KL Rahul, Hooping back in, on a back of a length, on top of off. Rahul knocks it from the crease to mid off.
- Shubman Gill 34 (42)
- KL Rahul 87 (147)
Nangeyalia Kharote to Shubman Gill, This is a bit quicker and fuller as well, on middle. Gill wrists it to mid-wicket.
Nangeyalia Kharote to Shubman Gill, Pitching outside the line of the leg stump, on a good length. Shubman leans forward for the block.
Nangeyalia Kharote to KL Rahul, Flighted delivery at the sticks, Rahul comes forward and works it to long off for one more.
Nangeyalia Kharote to KL Rahul, Fuller and on off. Rahul pushes it to cover.
Nangeyalia Kharote to Shubman Gill, Stays on the shorter side, on off. Gill hangs back and cuts it past point. Ziaur Rahman gives it a long chase and dives to prevent the boundary. He flicks it back in and saves a run for his side.
Nangeyalia Kharote to KL Rahul, Fractionally short, going across. Rahul taps it wide of cover and takes a quick single. There is a direct hit at the bowling end but KL is in by then.
- Shubman Gill 31 (39)
- KL Rahul 85 (144)
Azmatullah Omarzai to Shubman Gill, Down leg, on a hard length. Gill thinks about going for the pull but then bails out of the shot.
Azmatullah Omarzai to Shubman Gill, Bends his back and digs it in short, over off. Shubman sways away and drops his wrists.
Azmatullah Omarzai to Shubman Gill, Hits the top of off at 133 kph, Gill defends it right under his eyes.
Azmatullah Omarzai to Shubman Gill, A bit shorter, around the off stump. Shubman stays back to stab it down.
Azmatullah Omarzai to Shubman Gill, FOUR! Class written all over it. Bowled on a length, on middle. Gill walks into the shot and, with a still head, he plays a wristy flick through mid-wicket for a boundary.
Azmatullah Omarzai to Shubman Gill, Slanting in at the pads. Gill tucks it to square leg.
- KL Rahul 85 (144)
- Shubman Gill 27 (33)
Nangeyalia Kharote to KL Rahul, Slows it down now, on a nagging length, on off. KL gets forward to defend.
Nangeyalia Kharote to Shubman Gill, Full and fired in, on off. Shubman eases it to long off and rotates the strike.
Nangeyalia Kharote to Shubman Gill, SIX! Launched down the ground! Floated up there, full and on off. Gill shimmies down the track and, with a clean swing of the arms, he pumps it over long off for the first six of the game. Looks like we had briefly lost the ball in the empty stands, but it has now been retrieved.
Nangeyalia Kharote to Shubman Gill, This is quicker and on a good length, on off. Gill punches it to cover.
Nangeyalia Kharote to Shubman Gill, Drags the length back a bit, outside off. Shubman cuts it to backward point.
Nangeyalia Kharote to Shubman Gill, Tossed up, on off, firmly driven to cover.
Nangeyalia Kharote will partner with Azmatullah Omarzai from the other end.
- KL Rahul 85 (143)
- Shubman Gill 20 (28)
Azmatullah Omarzai to KL Rahul, Swinging back in at the pads, on a good length. Rahul keeps it out from the crease.
Azmatullah Omarzai to KL Rahul, Brings the stumps into play, on a length. KL is solid in defence.
Azmatullah Omarzai to KL Rahul, At 128.6 kph, fuller in length now, outside off. Rahul extends his hands out in front to defend.
Azmatullah Omarzai to KL Rahul, FOUR! Too straight, and Rahul helps himself to a boundary. On a back of a length, drifting in at the hips. KL tickles it fine of the man at deep fine leg to move to 85.
Azmatullah Omarzai to KL Rahul, A bit fuller, attacking the stumps. Rahul hangs back and stays leg side to dab it down on the off side.
Azmatullah Omarzai to KL Rahul, Begins on a short of a length, over off. KL turns it off the back foot to square leg.
We are back. Hashmatullah Shahidi leads his men out onto the park. KL Rahul and Shubman Gill are all set to resume their innings. Still 40 overs left in the day, and we are unlikely to get all of them in, even with the use of the extra half hour. Azmatullah Omarzai will kick things off with the ball. Rahul is on strike. Here we go...
... DAY 1, SESSION 3 ...
India primed for final session onslaught - The unbeaten duo of KL Rahul and Shubman Gill safely navigated the remaining overs before the Tea interval to keep India firmly in the driver’s seat. Rahul is currently anchoring the innings masterfully and closing in on a well-deserved century, while Gill looks comfortable at the other end. With the scorecard reflecting deep batting dominance and wickets well in hand, the Indian team is in a prime position to accelerate the scoring rate and maximise their advantage in the final session of the day. We will be back with the final session on Day 1 at 2.30 pm IST (9 am GMT).
Saleem broke 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, resulting in a sharp catch from 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 head 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. India continue to remain firmly in control of proceedings. There was certainly no shortage of effort from Afghanistan in the field, but they have struggled to sustain pressure for long enough.
- 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.
Rahul (100 off 165 balls) showed the value of defence while skipper Gill (103 batting off 143 balls) was intent-personified on a day when India decided to give a batting masterclass in Tests to an Afghanistan attack that was high on spirit but low on skill quotient.
The manner in which Gill batted, it seemed like he was playing a practice game.
The languid approach and the lazy elegance was on view as he held an already tired Afghan attack by the scruff of its neck, hitting 11 fours and a straight six. In his 41st Test, the Indian skipper now has 11 centuries.
The one who would rue missing out on a three figure mark is Sai Sudharsan (81 off 104 balls) despite getting two reprieves while Rishabh Pant was happy smashing three effortless sixes en route his unbeaten half-century off just 70 balls.
It is unlikely that India would bat more than a session and half on the second day before declaration and unleashing their spin troika on Afghanistan.
