NEW CHANDIGARH, India — In a thrilling cricket match, debutant spinner Manav Suthar took 3 wickets for just 21 runs, helping Afghanistan end the second day at 113-5 in their only Test against India on Sunday.
Prasidh Krishan also shone with the ball, claiming 2 wickets for 27 runs. Rahmat Shah stood tall for Afghanistan, finishing the day unbeaten on 43 runs.
Earlier, India had declared their first innings at a massive 564-8, fueled by centuries from Lokesh Rahul, who scored 100, and captain Shubman Gill, who made 126 runs. Mohammad Saleem of Afghanistan had an impressive outing as well, with bowling figures of 6-140, marking a notable achievement as the fifth best in Afghanistan’s Test history. India’s lead over Afghanistan stands at 451 runs.
In the morning session, India had already reached 475-6 by lunch, having lost three wickets in that period. Gill, who added 23 to his overnight score, was caught off Saleem’s bowling. He hit 15 fours and a six during his innings. Alongside Rishabh Pant, Gill put together a strong partnership of 169 runs for the fourth wicket.
After Gill’s dismissal, Pant quickly added 36 runs with Dhruv Jurel, but both fell within six deliveries—Saleem claimed Jurel (19) while Pant was caught at the boundary for 81.
Post-lunch, Washington Sundar brought up his sixth Test half-century as India surpassed 500 runs, hitting five fours and a six, guiding the lower order effectively.
Suthar also contributed to the batting effort, scoring 28 runs off 41 balls in his debut. Mohammed Siraj chipped in with 22 runs off 12 balls before both fell to Saleem, marking his first five-wicket haul in only his second Test match.
Suthar made an immediate impact with the ball, claiming his first wicket by having opener Abdul Malik caught for 16 runs. At tea, Afghanistan was at 28-1.
In the evening session, India took advantage of Afghanistan’s struggling batting lineup, with Suthar and Krishan leading the charge. They wrapped up four wickets, including Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who was caught for 12 runs. Krishan dismissed Sediqullah Atal for 17 runs and lbw Hashmatullah Shahidi for 20 runs, leaving Afghanistan in a precarious position at 98-4.
Shahidi and Shah managed to put together a 36-run partnership, the best for Afghanistan so far. Suthar then caught Afsar Zazai, who scored 3, in the final over of the day, while Shah ended the day unbeaten at the crease, having hit six fours and a six.
This Test match is only the second encounter between the two sides, with India winning their first meeting by an innings and 262 runs.
On Day 1, India had won the toss and opted to bat, finishing the day with a strong position at 368-3.
