game desk. On the first day of the only Test match being played between India and Afghanistan, the host Indian team has gained the upper hand. After winning the toss and opting to bat first at the Maharaja Yadvinder Singh International Cricket Stadium, Team India has scored 368 runs after losing 3 wickets in 85 overs by the end of the day’s play.

Captain Shubman Gill for India (103) and opener KL Rahul (100) played brilliant century innings, while Rishabh Pant (50) scored a quick half-century and completely pushed Afghanistan’s bowling attack on the back foot.

Thrill of the third session: Gill’s captaincy century and Pant’s storm
After tea break, India started playing at 209 runs for 2 wickets. KL Rahul and Shubman Gill present at the crease did not let the pace of runs slow down.

KL Rahul’s 12th Test century: KL Rahul completed his 12th Test century on the first ball of the 61st over of Ziaur Rehman Sharifi. However, he was caught by Rahmanullah Gurbaz on the very next ball. Rahul scored 100 runs in 165 balls with the help of 11 fours.

Captain Shubman Gill’s dominance: After Rahul’s dismissal, Shubman Gill took charge. He completed his 11th Test century (sixth century as captain) in 138 balls in the 83rd over. He returned unbeaten after scoring 103 runs in 143 balls.

Rishabh Pant’s blazing fifty: Wicketkeeper batsman Rishabh Pant adopted an aggressive stance as soon as he came to the crease. He hit three skyscraper sixes in a single over of Abdul Malik. Pant completed his half-century in 70 balls in the last over of the day and remained unbeaten on 50 runs. There is an unbeaten partnership of 104 runs between the two for the fourth wicket.

Sai Sudarshan and Rahul added color in the second session
Earlier, after lunch, India added 113 runs by losing just 1 wicket in the second session. KL Rahul completed his 21st Test fifty after lunch. At the same time, Sai Sudarshan, who came at number-3, also scored his third Test half-century while counter-attacking Afghan spinner Ziaur Rahman.

Sai Sudarshan also got a lease of life on his personal score of 59 runs, taking advantage of which he played an excellent inning of 81 runs. He was dismissed on reverse swing by Mohammad Salim Safi. There was an important partnership between Rahul and Sudarshan for the second wicket.

Story of first session: Jaiswal was a flop, India’s unique record
After winning the toss in the morning, the Indian team came to bat first and created a unique record. The playing XI of this match included six left-handed batsmen, which has happened only for the third time in Indian Test history.

Openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul started the innings. Jaiswal was looking in good form, but in the 12th over, he was caught by the wicketkeeper on a short-of-length ball from Mohammad Salim Safi. Jaiswal scored 24 runs in 32 balls. Till lunch, India’s score was 96 runs for 1 wicket.

Condition of Afghanistan bowlers
Fast bowler Mohammad Salim Safi was the most successful bowler for Afghanistan on the first day, taking 2 wickets. Whereas spinner Ziaur Rehman Sharifi got 1 success. Any other bowler failed to make an impact on the Indian batsmen.

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