Chandigarh: India put themselves in a commanding position in the one-off Test match against Afghanistan at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh. Displaying a masterclass in red-ball batting following a packed T20 season, the home team declared their first innings at a mammoth total of 564/8 in 127 overs during the post-lunch session on Day 2.

The Indian innings was built on spectacular centuries from Shubman Gill and KL Rahul, alongside aggressive, crucial half-centuries from Sai Sudharsan, Rishabh Pant, and lower-order all-rounder Washington Sundar. For Afghanistan, pacer Mohammad Saleem Safi was the lone warrior, dismantling parts of the heavy Indian lineup to register a heroic six-wicket haul.

India’s Top Order Sets a Heavy Foundation

Winning the toss and electing to bat proved to be a highly rewarding decision for Indian captain Shubman Gill. Despite losing opener Yashasvi Jaiswal early, the top order made the Afghan bowlers toil heavily under the scorching Chandigarh sun.

Sai Sudharsan played an elegant knock of 81, falling just short of a well-deserved century, but setting a steady tempo for the incoming batters. Following his exit, KL Rahul and Shubman Gill anchored the innings seamlessly. Both batsmen displayed superb control and immaculate timing, successfully executing the difficult transition from T20 style to patient Test match batting. KL Rahul notched a brilliant 101, while skipper Shubman Gill led from the front with an authoritative 126 off 177 balls.

Pant and Sundar Keep the Momentum Alive

Resuming Day 2 at a strong overnight score of 368/3, India intended to accelerate. Wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant took the attack to the visitors with his signature explosive style, scoring a rapid 81 off 121 deliveries. He anchored a devastating 169-run partnership alongside Gill for the fourth wicket.

Although Afghanistan fought back briefly in the morning session by picking up three quick wickets—including Gill, Pant, and Dhruv Jurel (19)—India's lower order refused to back down.

Washington Sundar played an incredibly composed innings coming down the order. Striking a boundary and a massive six to bring up his half-century in style, Sundar finished unbeaten on 52* off 68 balls. Useful cameos from debutant Manav Suthar (28) and a quick-fire 22 off 12 balls from Mohammed Siraj pushed India past the 550-run mark, forcing the captain to call for the declaration at 564/8.

Saleem Safi: The Lone Bright Spot for Afghanistan

Despite bleeding runs at an economy of over four per over, Afghanistan found a shining star in their fast bowler, Mohammad Saleem Safi. Operating at a steady pace of over 140 km/h even during long spells, Safi claimed his maiden five-wicket haul and finished with outstanding figures of 6/110.

Safi picked up key breakthroughs across both days, including the crucial wickets of Shubman Gill, Dhruv Jurel, Manav Suthar, and finally capping it off by clean-bowling Mohammed Siraj with a sharp reverse-swinging delivery. Skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi and Zia Ur Rehman picked up one wicket each to support him.

With a monumental trail ahead of them, Afghanistan’s opening batsmen Sediqullah Atal and Abdul Malik now face an uphill psychological and physical battle against the fresh Indian bowling attack consisting of Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna.