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- IND vs AFG Live Score, One-Off Test Match Day 2: Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant look to extend India's dominance
IND vs AFG Live Score, One-Off Test Match Day 2: Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant look to extend India's dominance
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.
A quick word with India's number 3 - Sai Sudharsan says he was well set and feels it could have been a much bigger innings. While disappointed not to convert it into a hundred, he is happy to have made a meaningful contribution to the team's cause. On the switch from white-ball to red-ball cricket, Sudharsan says there is not a huge mental difference. He believes it comes down to decision-making and making a few minor adjustments to suit the format. Sai shares that he spent time watching videos and preparing for what the Afghan bowlers might try. More than anything, it was about trusting himself and backing his game, something he feels helped him throughout the innings.
PITCH REPORT - Former India wicketkeeper, Deep Dasgupta is alongside former Australia captain Michael Clarke. Clarke notes that the middle of the pitch still looks almost brand new, with only a couple of ball marks visible. He points out that it is a touch drier closer to the crease and expects the rough to become a little more pronounced by the end of the day. Michael feels the surface played slightly slow and low on Day 1 and expects more of the same today. His advice to the bowlers is simple - attack the stumps. Dasgupta agrees with Clarke's assessment. He believes it remains a very good wicket for batting, though it could get slower with time.
Afghanistan's search for wickets - For Hashmatullah Shahidi and his side, a fresh day brings renewed hope after a gruelling 85 overs in the field. The visitors know that early wickets are the only currency that can buy them a way back into this contest. If their bowling attack fails to strike in the first hour, they risk chasing shadows for the rest of the day. Afghanistan’s primary objective for the morning is to win the first session by executing disciplined lines, exploiting any early moisture, and breaking the ominous Gill-Pant partnership. The scoring rate in the first session will provide a fair idea about India's thought process. An exciting day of Test cricket awaits.
Will Pant cut loose? Resuming the action alongside Gill is Rishabh Pant, who has played a fascinatingly uncharacteristic innings so far. Known for his explosive and high-risk boundary-hitting, Pant curbed his natural instincts on Day 1 to grind out an unbeaten 50. His disciplined approach added immense stability to the Indian middle order during the final session. All eyes will be on the wicketkeeper-batter this morning to see if he continues this patient job or unleashes his trademark aggressive style.
According to him, the surface is also likely to slow down considerably, making stroke-making tougher in the later stages of the game.
"Slower and lower" was how he described the wicket's future behaviour. Those observations could prove significant for India's plans, with the hosts expected to declare early and unleash their three-pronged spin attack on Afghanistan. Given the assistance available and the expected deterioration in conditions, the match may not require the full five days. Sudharsan's assessment only strengthened the belief that spinners are likely to play a decisive role in determining the outcome.
Greetings, all! Welcome to Day 2 of this one-off Test. India finished the opening day in a position of absolute authority, racking up a commanding 368 for 3 after 85 overs. The home side's batting depth was on full display as two batters notched up magnificent centuries. KL Rahul anchored the innings beautifully with a 100 before his dismissal, while Shubman Gill remained unblemished, finishing the day unbeaten on 103. They were well-supported by Sai Sudharsan, who missed out on a maiden Test ton with a brilliant 81.
... DAY 2, SESSION 1 ...
He said the emphasis was on understanding conditions and keeping the scoreboard moving instead of soaking up pressure. Personally, the batter focused on trusting his own abilities and remaining positive in his approach.
From a tactical perspective, India wanted to identify options that could disturb the bowlers and prevent them from settling into a rhythm. The idea was to maintain pressure on the opposition by rotating strike and finding boundaries whenever possible.
Sudharsan explained that the team wanted to ensure the pressure remained on the bowlers rather than allowing them to dictate terms through defensive batting.
The young left-hander said Rahul's calm presence at the crease brings certainty and composure to his partners. He revealed that their conversations revolved around reading the pitch, assessing the bowlers and understanding how best to approach different phases of the innings.
Sudharsan described Rahul as someone who sees the game exceptionally well and constantly provides useful cues that help during the innings. Batting alongside an experienced campaigner like Rahul, who went on to score his 12th Test hundred, made things easier and allowed him to settle into his own rhythm. Their stand laid the foundation for India's commanding position at the end of the opening day.
On the eve of the one-off Test against Afghanistan, Gambhir had made it clear that the Tamil Nadu batter would be given a long rope and would not be judged merely on the basis of a handful of matches. Sudharsan repaid that faith with a fluent 81 on the opening day and later admitted that such backing from the coach, captain and team management provides enormous mental assurance.
According to the left-hander, knowing that the team wants him to succeed allows him to focus on performing at his best instead of worrying about selection. He described the trust shown by the management as an honour and said it removes thoughts about whether he will feature in the next game, enabling him to concentrate solely on helping India win matches.
385/6 - IND vs SL, Ahmedabad, 2009
371/4 - IND vs SL, Delhi, 2017
368/3 - IND vs AFG, Mullanpur, 2026*
366/8 - SL vs IND, Brabourne, 2009
However, the pair lacked the penetration required to challenge a batting line-up of India's calibre.
Kharote conceded 95 runs in 20 overs without reward, while Malik managed six overs and also went wicketless. Mohammad Saleem emerged as the most successful bowler with figures of 2 for 67, while pacer Ziaur Rahman impressed despite claiming only one wicket.
Overall, Afghanistan's attack lacked the quality to sustain pressure and India took full advantage. Without launching into an all-out assault, the hosts still accumulated runs at a brisk pace, striking 42 fours and four sixes.
With assistance available for spin, India are expected to declare early on the second day and unleash their own three-pronged slow-bowling attack.
Gill's batting carried an effortless quality, with his short-arm pull and flowing cover drives highlighting his supreme confidence. In his 41st Test, the Indian skipper registered his 11th century and rarely looked troubled.
Pant, meanwhile, adopted a more aggressive approach, striking three towering sixes during his unbeaten half-century from just 70 balls. The pair rotated strike comfortably and punished loose deliveries without resorting to reckless aggression.
Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi was forced to spread the field in a desperate attempt to stem the flow of boundaries, but India continued to score freely and ended the day in complete command of proceedings.
His innings, however, was aided by two moments of fortune. He was first dropped in the slips off left-arm spinner Nangeyalia Kharote and later escaped when an outside edge off Ziaur Rahman flew between the wicketkeeper and first slip.
Despite those reprieves, Sudharsan batted with confidence and shared a valuable 139-run stand with Rahul after Yashasvi Jaiswal had gifted his wicket with an unnecessary glance down the leg side. Just when a maiden Test century seemed inevitable, Sudharsan's ambition got the better of him as Mohammad Saleem induced an edge behind to end a promising knock.
Once given that lifeline, Rahul settled into his rhythm and played an innings marked by discipline and elegance. His cover drives and trademark on-drives were executed with precision while the straight drive remained a delight to watch. Unlike some of his more attacking partners, Rahul was content to accumulate steadily and allow others to play their natural game.
It took him 164 deliveries to bring up his 12th Test century, but his concentration rarely wavered. Ironically, he departed immediately after reaching the landmark, offering a catch to cover off Ziaur Rahman.
Rahul's unbeaten patience and Gill's effortless aggression complemented each other perfectly, exposing the gap in quality between the two sides.
While Rahul showcased the virtues of defence and shot selection during his 100 off 165 balls, Gill looked in complete control, reaching 103 not out from 143 deliveries with remarkable ease. His innings, studded with 11 boundaries and a six, carried an air of inevitability, as though he was merely participating in a practice session.
By stumps, India had firmly seized control of the contest and looked set to dictate terms for the remainder of the match.
Afghanistan search for a way back - With their pacers being tired, the visitors opted against taking the second new ball late in the day, but expect them to take it straight away on the second morning. It is imperative that they make the new ball count if they are to prevent India from batting them out of the contest. Rishabh Pant was uncharacteristically restrained during his stay at the crease, and whether the handbrake comes off on Day 2 remains to be seen. Ideally, the hosts will want to bat once, bat big and put Afghanistan under immense scoreboard pressure. Join us again on Sunday, June 7, with the first ball on Day 2 set to be bowled at 9.30 am IST (4 am GMT). Until then, take care and goodbye!
Gill and Rahul led the charge - After India won the toss, KL Rahul had to tussle early in his innings against the slower nature of the surface, but he gradually grew in confidence and eventually brought up a well-crafted century. Sai Sudharsan looked positive from the outset and played fluently throughout his stay at the crease before falling short of what would have been his maiden Test hundred. Both batters rode their luck with Rahul nicking one behind when he was on 16, but Afghanistan opted against a review, while Rahmanullah Gurbaz put down a tough chance when Sudharsan was on 20. Shubman Gill looked in complete control during his stay at the crease, and with Afghanistan's bowlers beginning to tire in the final session, Gill and Rishabh Pant combined to press home India's advantage.
Afghanistan were made to work hard - The tourists showed promising signs with the new ball, but whatever little moisture was on offer in the morning gradually disappeared. That left the bowlers with very little assistance from the surface thereafter. That said, Afghanistan's quicks deserve plenty of credit. Despite the extreme heat, they kept plugging away throughout the day, with Ziaur Rahman and Mohammad Saleem looking the most likely to create opportunities. The debutant left-arm spinner, Nangeyalia Kharote, initially struggled with his consistency, but during the final hour or so, he began to find the right areas with greater regularity.
Let's hear from one of the centurions - KL Rahul says that he is feeling really happy to have spent some time in the middle and to have made the switch from T20 to Test in a really short time. Adds that the ball was not coming on nicely, and the track looked slow, which was expected by them after the training we had here. KL reckons that there is no better thing than spending time in the middle, as that's the best way you can assess a track or conditions. Rahul says that he has changed his style in the T20 format and believes that not having much turnaround time sometimes helps as well. Shares that in the morning session, he played a few more shots than he would normally, but he isn't angry because such things happen. Feels the track will assist good bowling, and the spinners will come into play as the cracks have started to open.
A dominant day for India - Headlined by centuries from Shubman Gill and KL Rahul, the home side cashed in on conditions that did not trouble the batters much beyond the opening session. It was a tough day at the office for Afghanistan, where they could not put it together with the ball for long periods. The inexperience of a side still finding its feet in Test cricket was evident at times, but these are the kind of days that can prove invaluable in the long run.
- Shubman Gill 103 (143)
- Rishabh Pant 50 (70)
Mohammad Saleem to Shubman Gill, Full and on off, Shubman Gill tucks this through square leg for one. That will be STUMPS ON DAY 1.
Mohammad Saleem to Rishabh Pant, 19th TEST FIFTY FOR PANT! A very unlike Pant knock, but he has done really well to restrict his natural self and respect the conditions and grind hard for his half-century, saying this despite Pant smoking 3 biggies and 2 boundaries. Good length, around off, Pant opens the face of his bat and guides this to the third man region to bring up his half-century with a single.
Mohammad Saleem to Shubman Gill, On a length, around the pads, Gill flicks this past the diving mid-wicket fielder just for one. Even the batters are tired at this point.
Mohammad Saleem to Shubman Gill, Fuller delivery, in the line of the stumps, Gill punches this towards mid on.
Mohammad Saleem to Rishabh Pant, Back of a length, around off, Rishabh Pant cuts this through point for a strike rotation.
Mohammad Saleem to Rishabh Pant, Good length, angled into the batter, Pant blocks this one.
- Shubman Gill 101 (140)
- Rishabh Pant 48 (67)
Nangeyalia Kharote to Shubman Gill, Tossed up, around off, Gill defends this one.
Nangeyalia Kharote to Rishabh Pant, Full and around off, Pant drives this through covers for one.
Nangeyalia Kharote to Rishabh Pant, Quicker one, on off, Rishabh Pant defends it out.
Nangeyalia Kharote to Rishabh Pant, FOUR! Pant has resisted the temptation to play this scoop for long but not on this occasion. Short and wide down the leg side, Rishabh Pant comes inside the line and scoops this towards the fine leg fence for four runs.
Nangeyalia Kharote to Rishabh Pant, Turning back in, on a good length, on middle. Pant lunges for the block but is beaten on the inside edge and wears it on the front pad.
Nangeyalia Kharote to Shubman Gill, Short of a length, around off, Gill cuts this to deep point for one.
- Rishabh Pant 43 (63)
- Shubman Gill 100 (138)
Mohammad Saleem to Rishabh Pant, Good length, on off, Rishabh Pant pokes at it but gets beaten.
Mohammad Saleem to Shubman Gill, 11th TEST TON FOR SHUBMAN GILL! Back of a length, on middle and leg, Gill leans inside the line of the ball and milks it past the right of the square leg fielder for a single to bring up his century on his home turf. It has been a rather dreamy knock from the Indian skipper, and some of those flicks and drives from the bat of Gill have been splendid.
Mohammad Saleem to Shubman Gill, Good length, on the pads, Gill nudges this to square leg. Pant was charging for a single but Gill sends him back.
Mohammad Saleem to Shubman Gill, Pitched-up delivery, on the pads, Gill flicks this straight to mid on.
Mohammad Saleem to Shubman Gill, Back of a length, on off, Gill thumps this to covers. Stays on 99.
Pace back on in the form of Mohammad Saleem. It looks as though Afghanistan are going to take the new ball tomorrow, when their quicks are fresh, and conditions could potentially offer a little more assistance.
Mohammad Saleem to Rishabh Pant, Saleem bowls this full and wide of off, Pant opens the face of his bat and guides this to the deep third region for one.
- Rishabh Pant 42 (61)
- Shubman Gill 99 (134)
Hashmatullah Shahidi to Rishabh Pant, Under-cutter, around off, Pant pushes this gently through covers for a single.
Hashmatullah Shahidi to Shubman Gill, Full and on the pads, Gill flicks this past mid-wicket for one.
Hashmatullah Shahidi to Shubman Gill, Arm-delivery, around the pads, Gill stands tall and tucks this through the square leg region. Calls for two straightaway and completes that with ease.
Hashmatullah Shahidi to Shubman Gill, Fired into the batter, on middle and off, Gill keeps it out.
Hashmatullah Shahidi to Rishabh Pant, Loopy delivery, around off, Pant hammers this down to long off for one.
Hashmatullah Shahidi to Rishabh Pant, FOUR! First four to Pant's column in this contest. Short of a length, on middle and off, Pant rocks back and pulls this through the mid-wicket region for four runs. 350 comes up for India.
Hashmatullah Shahidi to continue...
- Rishabh Pant 36 (58)
- Shubman Gill 96 (131)
Nangeyalia Kharote to Rishabh Pant, The 100-run stand comes up between Pant and Gill. Full and wide of off, Pant knocks this down to long off for one.
Nangeyalia Kharote to Shubman Gill, Tossed up, around off, Gill drives this to long off for a single.
Nangeyalia Kharote to Rishabh Pant, Too full this time on middle and off, Pant hammers this past the bowler to his right for a single. A half-stop from the bowler but the ball still dribbles behind him for one.
Rahul, who reached his 12th Test hundred with a patient 100 off 165 balls, embodied classical Test-match virtues, relying on sound defence and elegant drives after surviving an early chance. Gill, meanwhile, was the aggressor-in-chief, batting with such ease that he appeared to be playing a practice game. The Indian skipper remained unbeaten on 103 from 143 deliveries, his 11th Test century coming in just his 41st appearance.
Sai Sudharsan continued his impressive rise with an attractive 81 off 104 balls despite receiving two reprieves, sharing a 139-run stand with Rahul after Yashasvi Jaiswal's early dismissal. Rishabh Pant then joined Gill in an entertaining unbroken partnership worth 121 runs, smashing three sixes during his unbeaten fifty.
Afghanistan's spirited attack struggled for penetration, with Mohammad Saleem claiming two wickets while pacer Ziaur Rahman impressed without much reward. Their inexperienced spin unit failed to exert control, conceding runs regularly as India struck 42 fours and four sixes.
With assistance available for spin on the surface, India are expected to bat briefly on the second morning before unleashing their three-pronged slow-bowling attack.
